Lockhart, TX – A Texas father is speaking out after a nearly three-year battle for justice, claiming his young daughter was sexually assaulted at a Lockhart childcare facility in 2022. Now, he’s pushing for statewide safety reforms to protect children in similar settings.
The Incident & Investigation
Karston Chatelain says he learned of the alleged assault when a detective knocked on his door in 2022, informing him that his daughter had been sexually abused at the Children’s Center of Lockhart, also known as Connie’s Kidz.
Following the investigation, four individuals were arrested:
- A 13-year-old male charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child
- Three adults: Connie Mendoza, Christine Amaya, and Rafael Santa Maria
However, Caldwell County declined to prosecute Santa Maria, while Mendoza received five years of deferred adjudication. Amaya is scheduled for sentencing on March 27.
The facility had a troubling history, with over 65 reported deficiencies since 2017. As a result, the Texas Health and Human Services Department revoked its license in January 2023.
