Madison County family files lawsuit against Richmond daycare amid ongoing abuse investigation

RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — A Madison County father has filed a civil lawsuit against A Step Ahead Child Care, also known as The Kids Club of Richmond, and six of its employees following a growing child abuse investigation.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, accuses the daycare and named employees of abuse, negligence, and infliction of emotional distress. According to the suit, the man claims his three children were grabbed, hit, denied food, and placed in dangerous situations between March and April of this year.

The six employees named in the suit are among the nine individuals who have already been arrested and face criminal charges in connection to the case. One of those employees, Elizabeth Thomas, appeared in court Tuesday. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 7 at 9:30 a.m.

The father is seeking punitive damages.

ABC 36 News Now attempted to contact the daycare for comment. No one answered the phone, and a voicemail was left. We are awaiting a response.

This is a developing story. Stay with ABC 36 for updates.