A toddler sustained severe head injuries after being tossed in the air by a daycare worker and falling to the ground, according to a new lawsuit. The incident occurred in March 2025 at The Bay Club Clubhouse in Santa Monica Bay, California.
Details of the Incident
Documents obtained by The California Post describe a terrifying scene. A 23-month-old boy, identified as "C.K.", was swung by his arms into the air by an employee. Stills included in the documents show the toddler being lifted above the alleged daycare worker's head before she fails to catch him, causing both to fall to the ground.
C.K. reportedly hit his head in the fall and began crying while other adults in the room watched in shock. The toddler sustained a traumatic brain injury and hearing loss, according to papers filed by his parents, Matt and Elena Kittle.
Parent's Account
Mr. Kittle dropped the little boy off at 8:35 am on the day of the incident before heading to the Manhattan Country Club. He received a call from the Bay Club saying that his son had fallen and had calmed down. The staff member reportedly said they did not believe C.K. needed to be collected but wanted to inform them. Just 15 minutes later, Mr. Kittle was called again, this time saying C.K. needed to be picked up and that they could not calm him down.
Mr. Kittle was told that C.K. had only suffered a minor injury. "The right side of C.K.'s face was badly bruised. His right eye was swollen shut and his mouth was swollen. Upon arriving home, C.K. was extremely drowsy, lethargic, and irritable," the lawsuit said. An employee reportedly informed Mr. Kittle by phone that C.K. had fallen only a foot and a half.
Medical Findings and Video Evidence
By 11:30 am, C.K. was taken to the ER for evaluation of blunt head trauma and diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. His parents requested video footage of the incident and saw that their son was at least six feet in the air when he fell. "C.K. is still experiencing symptoms from the traumatic brain injury, including loss of hearing," according to the lawsuit.
Legal Claims
The lawsuit claims that the El Segundo Bay Club is not licensed by the California Department of Social Services and wrongly claims it is exempt, as parents stay on site while their children are supervised. However, the documents state: "When the child of a member of the Manhattan Country Club is being cared for at the Clubhouse, the member is not required to stay on the premises."
The Kittles are asking for a jury to determine an amount and allege the Bay Club committed negligence, battery, fraud, and emotional distress. The Bay Club did not immediately respond to The California Post's request for comment.
