Colorado Daycare Worker Faces Numerous Charges: What Happened?

Children raising hands in classroom. — Rear view of kids raising hands while teacher explaining the functioning of human skeleton in classroom at school

Colorado daycare worker Brandon Vigil now faces 51 criminal charges after allegedly slapping a 2-year-old child and using racial slurs in a classroom full of toddlers.

Quick Takes

Brandon Vigil, a Colorado preschool teacher, has been charged with 28 counts of child abuse and 23 counts of harassment
The incident occurred on September 5, 2024, at a childcare facility in Centennial, where Vigil allegedly slapped a toddler who “was not moving quickly enough”
A teacher’s aide witnessed and reported the abuse, stating Vigil had been verbally abusive to children in the past
Investigators discovered multiple instances of harmful and degrading behavior on facility footage
Vigil was fired the day after the incident, and authorities have established a tip line for additional information

Shocking Abuse Allegations Emerge

A former Colorado daycare employee is facing dozens of serious criminal charges after allegedly abusing children in his care. Brandon Vigil has been charged with 28 counts of child abuse and 23 counts of harassment following a disturbing incident at a childcare facility in Centennial. According to investigators, Vigil slapped a 2-year-old child who “was not moving quickly enough” and then directed a racial slur at the toddler when the child began to cry. The incident, which occurred on September 5, 2024, was witnessed by a teacher’s aide who reported the abuse to authorities.

The teacher’s aide told investigators she was “shocked” by Vigil’s behavior and described him as being “irritated and in a bad mood and was throwing things” during the incident. The aide also reported that Vigil had been verbally abusive to children in the past, raising questions about how long the alleged abuse had been occurring. The reported incident took place in a classroom containing 14 toddlers, where Vigil allegedly threw sleeping pads and other items while displaying clear signs of anger toward the children.

Pattern of Abusive Behavior Uncovered

What began as an investigation into a single incident quickly expanded as authorities reviewed surveillance footage from the facility. According to the sheriff’s office, investigators found multiple instances where Vigil “appeared visibly upset that kids were in his way” and engaged in harmful and degrading behavior toward the children. This disturbing pattern of conduct resulted in the 51 criminal charges now filed against him. Vigil had been hired as a preschool teacher in February 2024, just seven months before the incident that led to his termination.

“The child began to cry, to which Vigil responded with a racial slur.”

The daycare facility, which has not been publicly identified, fired Vigil the day after the incident was reported. The affidavit in the court case has been temporarily suppressed, limiting the amount of information currently available to the public. However, the severity and number of charges indicate a serious pattern of misconduct that has alarmed both parents and child welfare advocates across the state.

Investigation Continues as Authorities Seek More Information

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with Colorado State Child Care Licensing and Administration and Arapahoe County Child Protection Services in the ongoing investigation. Authorities have established a dedicated tip line, seeking additional information from parents, employees, or anyone with knowledge about potential abuse at the facility. This coordinated approach between law enforcement and child welfare agencies aims to ensure a thorough investigation and appropriate accountability.

The case has raised serious concerns about hiring practices and supervision at childcare facilities. While background checks are standard for childcare workers, this incident highlights potential gaps in monitoring ongoing behavior and addressing warning signs before serious abuse occurs. Parents across Colorado are now questioning what additional safeguards might be necessary to protect vulnerable children in daycare settings, particularly as this case follows other recent childcare abuse investigations in the state.