A family is taking legal action against a daycare facility in El Segundo, California, after their 23-month-old son sustained a brain injury when a worker dropped him. The incident occurred at The Bay Club, a membership-based fitness and hospitality centre, and was captured on CCTV footage.
What the CCTV footage shows
The toddler, identified as C.K., approached a staff member and indicated he wanted to be picked up. The employee obliged, swinging him into the air. She then appeared to let go of his hands but failed to catch the child, causing both to tumble to the floor. The worker landed on top of the toddler. After moving aside, she quickly comforted the crying boy as another staff member approached.
Family's allegations
The family claims their son was left with a severe brain injury and accuses the daycare of lying about the circumstances. According to the family’s attorney, Ryan Saba of Rosen Saba, “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.”
The toddler’s father, Matthew Kittle, dropped him off around 8:30am on March 17, 2025, planning to return two hours later. The complaint alleges C.K. fell from an estimated height of 6ft. Kittle was first called to inform him of the fall but was told it was a normal incident and 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.
Misleading information
The lawsuit states: “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.” Upon arrival, Kittle found his son’s eye swollen shut, with bruising on the right side of his face and swelling around his mouth. The toddler was also drowsy and irritable. A staff member allegedly told Kittle that his son “wanted to go to sleep immediately after the fall and that the Bay Club’s employees had trouble keeping him awake.”
Medical diagnosis and legal action
A doctor diagnosed C.K. with concussion, blunt head trauma, and facial abrasion. The family is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages. The Bay Club has declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.
