A toddler suffered serious injuries when a day-care worker threw him into the air and he fell to the ground, as detailed in a recent lawsuit.
The incident occurred in March 2025 at The Bay Club Clubhouse in Santa Monica Bay, California, where a 23-month-old boy named “C.K.” was swung by his arms and then dropped by an employee. Disturbing still images from the incident show the child being lifted above the worker’s head before both plummeted to the ground.
Following the fall, C.K. hit his head, causing him to cry while onlookers watched in shock, according to legal documents. The boy was later diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and hearing loss, according to his parents, Matt and Elena Kittle.
The lawsuit reveals that Mr. Kittle dropped off his son at 8:35 am that day before going to the Manhattan Country Club. The Bay Club’s policy allows club members to have their children supervised at the nearby Clubhouse without extra fees.
After the fall, the Bay Club staff initially informed Mr. Kittle that his son had calmed down and did not require immediate collection. However, 15 minutes later, they called again, stating that C.K. needed to be picked up as they couldn’t soothe him.
Upon bringing his son home, Mr. Kittle noticed severe bruising on C.K.’s face, a swollen eye, and mouth, and observed the child being drowsy and irritable. Despite being initially told that the fall was minor, the severity of the injuries led to C.K. being taken to the emergency room by 11:30 am, where he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.
The parents requested video footage of the incident, which revealed that C.K. had fallen from a considerable height. The ongoing effects of the brain injury, including hearing loss, continue to impact C.K.
The lawsuit alleges that the El Segundo Bay Club operates without a license from the California Department of Social Services, claiming an exemption due to parents being present on-site. The Kittles are seeking a jury trial to determine damages, citing negligence, battery, fraud, and emotional distress against the Bay Club.
Despite requests for comment, The Bay Club has not responded to inquiries from The California Post.
