Texas suspends 2 Fort Bend behavior analysts for failing to report child sexual abuse

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Two behavior analysts who worked with children with autism have had their professional licenses suspended after the state determined they failed to report an allegation of child sexual abuse.

Carina Pinto and Brittany Darden-Gonzales, both based in Fort Bend County, had their licenses suspended for two years by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The administrative order was issued this week and could lead to further consequences, including potential criminal charges.

According to the state, the case stems from a July incident at Action Behavior Centers, where both women were employed as behavior analysts, people trained to design treatment plans for individuals struggling to control their behavior.

The state says a mother reported that her 4-year-old child had been sexually abused by an employee. While the accused employee was placed on leave, officials say the abuse allegations were never reported to law enforcement.

Caroline Roberts with Children at Risk emphasized the seriousness of the omission.

"It's part of their ethics and training to know they have to report," said Roberts, the nonprofit's General Counsel and Senior Director of Policy. "We all have a duty to report. It is actually illegal for anyone to know or suspect child abuse has occurred and not report it. In addition to that, many professionals, such as therapists, they have an additional responsibility to report tied to their license."

Failure to report suspected abuse is an offense that can be prosecuted, according to the Texas Family Code.

TDLR's action suspends both licenses for a minimum of two years unless a hearing officer overturns the decision.

Roberts believes the penalty fits the severity of the situation.

"Is that hard or not harsh enough?" asked reporter Jessica Willey.

"To me, that is about right," Roberts said. "It's a serious interruption in income. It's both a crime and a professional mishap. We cannot have people in those positions that are not making these extremely important reports."

Attempts by ABC13 to contact Pinto and Gonzales were unsuccessful.

On Wednesday, after we aired the story, Action Behavior Centers responded to a request for comment with the following statement:

"Action Behavior Centers and our clinicians are deeply committed to our mission of serving children with autism and their families. We take all concerns regarding patient safety very seriously and have a thorough review process in place. In this case, our team followed due process and reported the matter to child protective services, who conducted their own review and closed the case. We also conducted an internal investigation, which did not substantiate any claims. We will continue to share facts and details with the regulatory agency pursuant to their review process."

Online records show no criminal charges have been filed against the employee accused of abuse.

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