Arapahoe County, Colo. — A former daycare worker has been arrested and faces over 50 criminal charges, including child abuse and harassment, following an investigation into alleged misconduct at a preschool in Centennial. Brandon Joseph Vigil, 32, turned himself in to the Arapahoe County Detention Facility on February 10, 2025, after an investigation revealed disturbing details about his behavior while employed at the facility.
The investigation began in September 2024, when a teacher’s aide reported witnessing an incident of child abuse while substituting for a preschool teacher at the daycare. According to the aide, Vigil, who had been working as a preschool teacher at the facility, appeared visibly upset and threw objects around the classroom, which contained 14 2-year-old children. One child, described as not moving quickly enough, was allegedly struck by Vigil with an open hand. After the child began to cry, Vigil reportedly responded with a racial slur.
The aide immediately informed the daycare director and law enforcement about the incident. In addition to the reported abuse, the aide mentioned that Vigil had displayed verbally abusive behavior in the past, though no prior incidents had been formally reported.
Following a review of the evidence, investigators discovered multiple instances of harmful and degrading actions directed at the children. These findings led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Vigil, who had been employed at the daycare since February 2024. Vigil was terminated from his position the day after the incident, on September 6, 2024.
Vigil is now facing a total of 51 criminal charges, including nine counts of child abuse (knowingly/recklessly causing bodily injury), 19 counts of child abuse (knowingly/recklessly without injury), and 23 counts of harassment (shoving, striking, or kicking).
The investigation has been conducted with the collaboration of the Colorado State Child Care Licensing and Administration, Arapahoe County Child Protection Services, and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities have confirmed that there is no known connection between Vigil and another pair of individuals, Tony and Jaylyn Vigil, who are currently facing charges in Denver related to the death of an infant in 2023.
The case remains under investigation, and law enforcement has urged anyone with additional information or who believes they or someone they know may have been victimized by Vigil to contact the sheriff’s office tip line at (720) 874-8477.
As the investigation continues, concerns about the safety of children in daycare settings are being raised, underscoring the importance of careful screening and monitoring of those entrusted with the care of young children.
