WATCH: California parents sue luxury daycare after toddler allegedly tossed into air, dropped on head
Legal Action Filed After Toddler's Alleged Air-Drop Incident at California Daycare
WATCH: California parents sue luxury daycare after toddler allegedly tossed into air, dropped on head - A California family has initiated legal proceedings against an upscale country club's childcare facility, alleging that their young son sustained serious injuries after being thrown into the air and dropped on his head. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, names Matthew Kittle, Elena Kittle, and their minor son—who is referred to only as C.K. in court documents—as plaintiffs against The Bay Clubs Company, LLC.
What Happened on March 17
According to court filings, the troubling events unfolded on March 17 inside The Clubhouse at Bay Club El Segundo. This expansive 14,000-square-foot childcare center markets itself as a premium environment where children engage in supervised play and structured activities. Matthew Kittle reportedly dropped off his son at approximately 8:35 a.m. and informed staff that he intended to collect C.K. by 11:30 a.m. Additionally, the father mentioned he would be visiting Manhattan Country Club, located roughly one mile from the Bay Club location, during the childcare session.
Less than fifty minutes after drop-off, at around 9:20 a.m., surveillance footage captured what the lawsuit describes as a dramatic moment. A female employee at the Bay Club was holding C.K. by his hands when she deliberately swung him between her legs, lifted him overhead, and let go while he was positioned approximately six feet above the floor. The employee apparently failed to retrieve the child, who then plummeted onto the hardwood surface, striking his head. In the aftermath, the worker collapsed backward and landed directly on top of the toddler.
Initial Response and Downplayed Incident
The complaint contains still photographs allegedly captured by the Bay Club's security cameras. These images reportedly show other adults in the room appearing shocked by the severity of the situation. Despite the dramatic fall, the lawsuit claims that daycare personnel minimized the event when contacting the parents.
Elena Kittle received a missed call from the facility at 9:28 a.m., and two minutes later, Matthew Kittle was informed that C.K. had "fallen" and had "calmed down." A staff member allegedly suggested the parents did not need to rush to pick up their son but wanted to ensure they were aware of the incident. When Matthew Kittle returned the call at 9:34 a.m., he was unable to speak directly with Clubhouse employees. Based on the information that his son was calm and uninjured, he decided to collect C.K. at the conclusion of his scheduled session.
However, at approximately 9:45 a.m., the Bay Club called again, stating that C.K. needed to be picked up because staff could not settle him. When Matthew Kittle arrived around 10:10 a.m., he discovered injuries far more severe than what had been communicated.
Medical Findings and Legal Claims
The filing details that C.K.'s right eye was swollen shut, the right side of his face bore significant bruising, and his mouth was noticeably swollen. After being brought home, the toddler exhibited extreme drowsiness, lethargy, and irritability.
Later, Elena Kittle spoke with a Bay Club employee who identified herself as the aquatics director. This staff member claimed that C.K. had been held by an employee who fell while squatting, with the child positioned only about 1.5 feet above the ground. The lawsuit asserts this explanation was inaccurate.
C.K. was transported to a local hospital that morning for evaluation of blunt head trauma. Medical professionals diagnosed him with blunt head trauma, a concussion—which the filing also characterizes as a traumatic brain injury—along with a facial abrasion. The suit alleges that medical personnel questioned whether the child's injuries were consistent with the club's description of a brief fall. The following day, C.K. visited his pediatrician, where the doctor similarly expressed doubt that the injuries matched a fall of approximately 1.5 feet.
When a parent entrusts their child to a daycare, they expect the employees to be properly trained and responsible. The Bay Club failed on both accounts.
Ryan Saba, an attorney representing the Kittle family through Rosen Saba, LLP, made these comments to Fox News Digital regarding the case.