Badmouthed by a Co-Worker

My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: Texas

I have almost 10 years of experience in my career and have been bothered by another employee who was hired 2 years ago with emergency certification. I stick to what I am responsible for and be as positive as I can whenever we interact. However, my personal family issues has become somewhat of a focus because it has resulted in being late about 5 - 10 minutes. I have been late periodically for over 5 years and only have recently discovered that my son's sleep issue was due to epilepsy than a child choosing to be difficult. This has been the major complaint.

I am excellent in what I do and get results others on my team may struggle to achieve. Lately, this person has been obviously hateful in an environment where this would be unpleasent where children are involved daily. He would obviously move away and get others to follow him. Also, others are afraid if they 'talk' to me, they will be put on a black list and deal with exagerated claims of incompetence.

The truth is... he takes shortcuts in his duties where the results do not appear. By getting rid of me, he will be able to convince the administrators, it is the children that is the problem.

What signs should I look for if an administrator is able to manage this type of 'popularity' game?

I'm a little confused. What do you think is going on that is illegal?

Bad mouthing another co-worker's professional credentials and threatening other employees to go along or get on the 'list'. It goes further as join him and lie on certification tests or help others cheat on ability tests or you are one of 'those'.

Does it just sound like a bad case of poor work environment?

OP, you stated, inter alia, that, “Lately, this person has been obviously hateful in an environment where this would be unpleasent where children are involved daily.” What does this mean? Respectfully, can you delineate concisely what this coworker has done to you?

Of course, a coworker may dislike you because you periodically come to work late due to having to contend with your son’s illness. His attitude may be shallow and petty, but it is far from unlawful.

Again, OP, can you explain what tangible adverse things this coworker, other coworkers and/or management have done to you?

Bad mouthing another co-worker's professional credentials and threatening other employees to go along or get on the 'list'. It goes further as join him and lie on certification tests or help others cheat on ability tests or you are one of 'those'.

Nothing here that violates any laws, sorry.

If you can respond to ESteele's questions, we can go to the next step.