Avon Child Care Center Announces Closure Following Abuse Allegations, Lawsuit

AVON, CT — A prominent child care provider in Avon has announced it will close its local center next month following recent allegations of sexual abuse involving a former employee and a newly filed civil lawsuit.

In a statement sent to Patch, a spokesperson for BrightPath in Avon said Thursday that the facility at 144 Simsbury Road will cease operations on May 22.

“BrightPath has made the difficult decision to close our Avon location over the next month, with our final day being May 22, 2026,” the spokesperson said.

The company cited recent disruptions and said the decision was made with families in mind.

“After careful consideration, we have determined that it is in the best interest of our children and families to take this course of action,” the statement said. “We believe that they deserve an experience without the disruption that BrightPath Avon has faced in recent weeks.”

BrightPath said it will continue operating during the transition period and assist families in finding alternative care.

The company also stated it is cooperating with authorities and has launched its own investigation, which will be followed by an independent review.

“We remain fully committed to working with law enforcement and other agencies in their search for the facts,” the spokesperson said.

The closure follows a lawsuit filed on April 8 in Hartford Superior Court on behalf of a 3-year-old child and his mother.

The complaint names Educational Play Care, LTD., and Busy Bees US Holdings Limited as defendants. Those firms own and operate the BrightPath chain of childcare providers.

Filed by Hartford attorney Timothy O'Keefe of Kenny, O’Keefe & Usseglio, the lawsuit alleges the child, identified as John Roe and described as an Avon resident, was sexually abused while attending the BrightPath Avon Child Care Center.

According to the complaint, a former employee, Avon resident Jan Carlos Berrios-Otero, “engaged in serious sexual abuse” of the child, including “inappropriate touching, fondling and sexual molestation,” before March 30, 2026.

The lawsuit does not include a response from the defendants and does not reference criminal charges.

However, Avon police charged Berrios-Otero on April 1 with one count of risk of injury to a minor and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault.

Online court records indicate he is still being held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on June 9.

BrightPath said it is reinforcing safety policies across its centers and maintaining operations standards through the closure process.

“This has been a heartbreaking time for our entire community,” the spokesperson said, adding that the company remains focused on supporting affected children and families.

From April 9: 'Avon Daycare Sued Over Allegations 3-Year-Old Was Abused: Court'

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