Avon Daycare Sued Over Allegations 3-Year-Old Was Abused: Court

AVON, CT — A child and his mother have filed a lawsuit in Connecticut Superior Court alleging a daycare worker sexually abused a 3-year-old boy at an Avon child care center and that the facility’s operators failed to prevent it.

The complaint, dated April 8 and filed in Hartford Superior Court, names Educational Play Care, LTD. and Busy Bees US Holdings Limited as defendants. The case has a return date of April 28.

It was filed by Hartford attorney Timothy O'Keefe of Kenny, O'Keefe & Usseglio.

According to the lawsuit, the child, identified as John Roe and described as an Avon resident, attended a program at the BrightPath Avon Child Care Center, 144 Simsbury Road, Avon, for several months.

The complaint alleges that during that time, an employee, Jan Carlos Berrios-Otero, “engaged in serious sexual abuse” of the child, including “inappropriate touching, fondling and sexual molestation,” before March 30, 2026.

The filing states the alleged conduct caused “serious and potentially life-altering injuries.”

The lawsuit does not include a response from the defendants, and no criminal charges are referenced in the complaint.

Berrios-Otero, though, was charged by Avon police last week with one count of risk of injury to a minor and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault.

He is being held on a $1 million bond and will next appear in Hartford Superior Court on April 14, according to online court records.

Allegations against daycare operators

The child’s mother, Mary Roe, who filed the case on his behalf, alleges the companies were negligent and breached a duty to protect children in their care.

The complaint claims the defendants:

• Failed to provide a safe environment and properly supervise children.
• Failed to adequately train and supervise staff, including the accused employee.
• Failed to investigate or act on “suspicious and/or alarming activities” involving the employee.
• Failed to recognize behavioral warning signs among children.
• Failed to implement or enforce policies encouraging staff to report suspected abuse.

It further alleges the companies did not warn parents about potential risks or take steps to prevent harm despite prior indications of concerning behavior.

Claimed harm

The lawsuit states the child suffered “great physical, emotional, and psychological harm,” including ongoing emotional distress, anxiety, anger, and confusion. Some injuries “may be permanent,” according to the filing.

The complaint also alleges the child has been deprived of normal childhood experiences and that his family has incurred, and may continue to incur, costs for medical care, therapy, and medication.

Next steps

The plaintiff is seeking monetary damages exceeding $15,000, along with other relief the court deems appropriate.

The case is scheduled to proceed in Hartford Superior Court, where the defendants are expected to respond to the allegations.

For the full lawsuit, click on this link.

From April 1: 'Avon Preschool Employee Accused Of 'Inappropriate Contact:' Police'