The parents of a 4-year-old boy are suing a Fort Worth day care, alleging their son was restrained, dragged and yelled at by a teacher who also encouraged another child to hit him.

The family said the April incident at Arka Montessori, off Risinger Road in Fort Worth, was more than a bad day at day care. Months later, they said, their son is still dealing with anxiety and requires therapy.

Attorney Russell Button, who represents the family, provided video of the incident, which was also investigated by the state.

The video shows a teacher grab and shake the 4-year-old, who is wearing blue jeans and a green sweatshirt. The teacher then lets go of him to pick up and console another child.

Moments later, another adult walks into the room. The teacher then grabs the 4-year-old again and drags him and the other child closer together.

“Caregivers were watching, didn’t intervene to protect our child, to properly separate these two kids,” Button said.

The family alleges the incident followed a fight between two children.

“Multiple violations, some very alarming statements by the caregivers, including encouraging another child to actually attack and fight our client’s son, and held him down during that process, threw him down like a human rag doll. This had the feel and the look of a child fight club,” Button said.

State records list more than a dozen deficiencies at Arka Montessori and show the day care was cited three times in connection with the April incident. The records noted a caregiver used prohibited punishment that resulted in bruising on the child’s arm and caused him to fall backward after she grabbed his leg.

“This child, his life was completely changed. It was turned upside down. He regressed in every way. He’s dealing with therapy,” Button said.

The family is now seeking accountability through the lawsuit.

Arka Montessori has not responded to NBC 5’s request for comment.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.