El Segundo, California — A California couple has filed a lawsuit against a daycare facility after alleging their 23-month-old son suffered life-altering injuries when a childcare worker tossed him into the air and failed to catch him, causing the toddler to crash to the ground.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred in March 2025 at The Bay Club Clubhouse in El Segundo, where the child, identified only as C.K., was enrolled while his father visited the nearby Manhattan Country Club.
The lawsuit includes still images that allegedly show the employee lifting the toddler several feet above her head before losing control of him during the fall.
Lawsuit Alleges Child Was Dropped After Being Tossed Into the Air
According to court filings, the employee was allegedly swinging the toddler by his arms before launching him into the air during play.
The lawsuit claims she was unable to catch the child, causing both of them to fall to the floor.
The parents allege C.K. struck his head during the incident and immediately began crying uncontrollably while other adults inside the daycare looked on.
According to the complaint, the toddler later suffered a traumatic brain injury and hearing loss, injuries his family says continue to affect him months after the incident.
Parents Say They Were Initially Told the Injury Was Minor
The lawsuit states that C.K.’s father dropped him off at the daycare at approximately 8:35 a.m.
Later that morning, he reportedly received a phone call from daycare staff informing him that his son had fallen but had calmed down. According to the complaint, staff indicated they did not believe it was necessary for the child to be picked up immediately.
About 15 minutes later, however, the daycare contacted him again and asked that he come get his son because they were unable to comfort him.
The parents allege they were left with the impression that the child had suffered only a minor injury.
Hospital Evaluation Revealed Serious Head Trauma
After bringing C.K. home, his parents said they noticed alarming symptoms.
According to the lawsuit, the right side of the toddler’s face was badly bruised, one eye had swollen shut, and he appeared extremely drowsy, lethargic, and irritable.
An employee allegedly told the child’s father that the toddler had fallen only about one and a half feet.
Concerned about his condition, the family took C.K. to Torrance Hospital, where doctors evaluated him for blunt head trauma.
The lawsuit states he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.
Surveillance Footage and Licensing Claims at Center of Lawsuit
The parents later requested surveillance footage of the incident.
According to the complaint, the video showed the toddler was approximately six feet in the air before falling—far higher than they had allegedly been told.
The lawsuit further claims that C.K. continues to experience symptoms related to the brain injury, including hearing loss.
In addition to the injury allegations, the family argues that The Bay Club Clubhouse improperly claims an exemption from California childcare licensing requirements by asserting that parents remain on-site while children are supervised.
According to the complaint, members of the nearby Manhattan Country Club are permitted to leave their children at the facility without remaining on the premises.
The Kittles are seeking damages to be determined by a jury and accuse the daycare of negligence, battery, fraud, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The allegations outlined in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and the litigation remains ongoing.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you think childcare facilities should face stricter safety and oversight requirements? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.