A family is taking legal action against a daycare worker after their 23-month-old toddler suffered a severe brain injury when he was dropped on the floor at a California fitness and hospitality centre. The incident occurred at The Bay Club in El Segundo, a membership-based facility that offers childcare services.
CCTV Footage Shows the Incident
Security camera footage reveals the toddler, identified as C.K., approaching a staff member and indicating he wanted to be picked up. The worker complied, swinging the child into the air. However, she then appeared to let go of his hands and failed to catch him. Both the worker and the toddler fell to the floor, with the employee landing on top of the child.
After the fall, the worker quickly moved aside and attempted to comfort the crying boy. Another staff member soon approached the scene. The family's attorney, Ryan Saba of Rosen Saba, stated: 'The deception by the Bay Club of hiding this horrific incident from the parents is inexcusable. The daycare facility should have the highest amount of care for the children, and if a child gets sick or injured, they should notify the parents with transparency and urgency.'
Parents Misled About Severity
The toddler's father, Matthew Kittle, dropped his son off at the centre around 8:30am on March 17, 2025, planning to return two hours later. According to the lawsuit, Kittle was first called about the fall but was told it was a normal incident and that his son did not need to be collected early. By 9:45am, staff called again, saying C.K. could not settle and needed to be picked up.
The lawsuit alleges: 'The Bay Club gave Mr. Kittle the impression that C.K. only sustained a minor injury and that it was C.K. who was causing stress on the staff, which required a parent to retrieve the child.' When Kittle arrived, he found his son's injuries far worse than described. Staff reportedly claimed the employee had tripped while in a 'squatting position,' so the child was not far from the floor.
Injuries and Medical Diagnosis
The toddler's eye was swollen shut, with bruising on the right side of his face and swelling around his mouth. He was also drowsy and irritable. The lawsuit notes that a staff member told Kittle his son 'wanted to go to sleep immediately after the fall and that the Bay Club’s employees had trouble keeping him awake.'
A doctor later diagnosed C.K. with concussion, blunt head trauma, and facial abrasion. The family claims the fall from an estimated height of 6 feet caused a severe brain injury. They are seeking an undisclosed amount in damages.
Daycare Responds
The Bay Club has stated it is unable to comment on ongoing litigation. The family's attorney emphasized the need for childcare facilities to act with transparency and prioritize children's safety.
