Texas Sues Abilene Man for Unlicensed Daycare Amid Religious Exemption Claim

Legal Battle Over Unlicensed Childcare Facility in Texas

A legal dispute has erupted in Travis County, Texas, involving the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and a local individual accused of operating an unlicensed and uninspected childcare facility. The case centers around Steve Van Horne, who runs a business called “Society of Light” in Abilene, Texas.

According to the lawsuit filed on June 27, Van Horne is being sued for running an unlicensed childcare operation and transporting children in an unregistered van without a valid driver’s license. The Texas Attorney General’s Office represents HHSC in this case. KXAN reached out to Van Horne for his response but has not yet received a statement.

The lawsuit claims that Society of Light operates as an unlicensed childcare facility, which is not listed in HHSC’s online tool for checking licensed childcare providers. This lack of registration raises serious concerns about the safety and oversight of the children involved.

Religious Exemption or Noncompliance?

Van Horne’s business has been described as a “religious entity set up under pure trust.” In a January 2025 letter, he stated that the organization was not a daycare but a religious group exempt from state regulations. He cited the U.S. and Texas Constitutions, as well as the Christian Bible, to support his claim of exemption from state oversight.

“I am prohibited from accepting any entitlements, privileges, or benefits that would cause me to act against the commandments of our Creator,” Van Horne wrote. He argued that his organization must remain separate from civil society and free from state jurisdiction in matters of conscience.

However, under Texas law, religious organizations are allowed to operate childcare facilities without a license if they only serve children during on-site religious services attended by their guardians. The lawsuit suggests that this condition is not met in this case.

Attempts at Inspection and Legal Consequences

The HHSC’s Child Care Regulation Division made over a dozen attempts to inspect the facility between August 2024 and April 2025. According to the lawsuit, inspectors were denied entry, and staff refused to speak with them. Instead, Van Horne himself spoke with the inspectors.

During these interactions, Van Horne claimed he was not providing childcare but rather offering “child and developmental skills” to the children present. An affidavit from an HHSC manager details multiple inspection attempts and surveillance, noting the number of children brought to the facility—ranging from five to as many as 49.

In addition to the inspection issues, HHSC discovered that Van Horne had been arrested for driving without a valid license and displaying a fictitious license plate.

Tax Filings and Nonprofit Status

Van Horne’s statements to HHSC align with similar claims made in tax filings for another nonprofit organization, “Loving Individuals Generating Healing Today” (LIGHT). The lawsuit includes exhibits showing that LIGHT filed Form 990 with the IRS from 2015 to 2020, with Van Horne signing the documents between 2018 and 2020.

LIGHT declared itself a tax-exempt school that provided development and educational services for children and families. However, no 990 filings have been submitted since 2020.

Van Horne also described Society of Light as a “pure trust.” The IRS warns that such trusts may be viewed as abusive domestic trust schemes, where the taxpayer appears to have given up control of their business but still maintains day-to-day operations and income control through trustees or other entities.

This case highlights the complex intersection of religious freedom, state regulation, and legal compliance in the operation of childcare facilities. As the lawsuit progresses, further details may emerge about the true nature of Society of Light and its adherence to state laws.