TDLR Suspends Four Behavior Analyst Licenses for Failure to Report Suspected Child Abuse
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has issued emergency orders immediately suspending the licenses of three behavior analysts and one assistant behavior analyst after determining that they failed to make legally required reports of suspected child abuse involving a 4-year-old client at Apara Autism Center in Plano.
The orders, signed August 17, 2026, suspend the licenses of:
- Nicole Ercan, behavior analyst
- Amberly Bossert, behavior analyst
- Karah Pack, behavior analyst
- Alice Agyeman, assistant behavior analyst
According to the orders, the child’s mother informed center staff on May 12, 2026, that the child had made an outcry indicating possible sexual abuse by two registered behavior technicians (RBTs) at the center. The allegation was handled through the facility’s internal chain of command, and the center conducted an internal review of camera footage. While Pack and Agyeman did notify their supervisors, Ercan and Bossert, none of the individuals made a report to the appropriate authorities, leaving the alleged incident unreported. The child’s mother took the child to an emergency room where a Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE) was performed. Hospital staff separately reported the allegation to law enforcement and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Investigation of possible criminal conduct related to the alleged abuse falls within the jurisdiction of law enforcement. RBTs are credentialed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and are not licensed by TDLR.
Under its statutory authority to regulate behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts, TDLR issued the emergency orders based on the four licensees’ failure to report the allegation as required by law. Texas law requires a professional who has reasonable cause to believe a child had been abused or neglected to make a report no later than 24 hours after first developing that belief. This is an individual responsibility that cannot be delegated. Notifying a supervisor, manager, or compliance officer does not satisfy the requirement, and an employer’s internal investigation is not a substitute for reporting to DFPS or law enforcement.
“Behavior analysts across Texas provide important, compassionate services that help people build skills, gain independence, and improve their quality of life,” said Courtney Arbour, TDLR Executive Director. “Keeping Texans safe, especially children and other vulnerable clients is our highest priority. When abuse is suspected, each professional has a duty to report directly to the proper authorities, and TDLR will take action when that responsibility under the law is not met.”
The four individuals must immediately stop providing services under their respective licenses. Each suspension will remain in effect for one year unless otherwise ordered by a court or TDLR. The orders provide for expediting hearings before an administrative law judge at the State Office of Administrative Hearings to determine whether they should be affirmed, modified, or set aside.
Suspected child abuse or neglect should be reported to the DFPS Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400. The online reporting system at txabusehotline.org should be used only for situations that do not require an immediate response. In an emergency, call 911 and then the Texas Abuse Hotline.
