Thermostat replaced at Dealer. Two days later Skid Plate fell off.

I had a disturbing experience after my Thermostat was replaced at the dealer on my 2020 TRD OR. The check engine light came on and the dealership diagnosed that the Thermostat needed to be replaced. They did not have one in stock, so I had to wait until Monday to get it replaced.....It was under warranty so no charge to me (other than the extended warranty I purchased when buying the Truck). No problem.
I then went on a trip to Tahoe, 200 miles one way. No off roading... On the way back a horrible sound came from the front end, and I pulled over immediately and found the skid plate hanging from the hook. No bolts left.
I took it back to the Dealership and they denied that the Technician touched the Skid plate. They did however re-install the skid plate with new bolts at no charge. I did have an oil change last August so the skid plate was probably removed and replaced then......
Questions:
Has this happened to anyone else?
Was it just a coincidence that the skid plate fell off two days after the Thermostat was replaced?
Did the Tech make a mistake and start removing the skid plate but realized it did not have to be removed?
Vandelism?
It is troubling but the lesson learned is to always check the Skid Plate often and especially after any service......

 

Anything could happen.

The t-stat is accessed from above on the motor, so the skid plate was likely never touched.

It's also rare to be missing all 4 bolts, at the exact moment. I suspect it was a long term problem that failed coincidentally with 3 of 4 backing out over time. But the last bolt falling out is what caused the real problem

 

Thermostat replacement causing a skid plate to fall off? That does not compute brother. Maybe he removed it thinking he needed to and didn't reinstall it correctly? Maybe leprechauns did this. My advice, be thankful no real damage was done and move on with your life.

 

I just changed the oil in my GF’s 4R, and the place she took it to last left the small access cover loose, it was about to fall off, both bolts had just a couple turns left.

Jiffyboob did this to my work F150, the part is composite though, and the hooks are towards the rear, so when it swung down, it was scrapping the pavement. The location’s manager avoided, had to call corporate, and they sent the part to the store and of course the manger had an attitude when I went to pick it up.
I finally got the powers that be at my employer to realize our company discount wasn’t worth the shitty work.

 

You drain the coolant from the rad first. The skid plate blocks it, many remove it to do this.

Plus the coolant goes everywhere if the plate it on.

It's very likely. It's not just a coincidence.

I also remove the drivebelt when I do them, and its done from underneath.

The shop is idiotic.