A 23-month-old toddler suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and hearing loss after being thrown into the air by a daycare worker at a California fitness club, according to a lawsuit filed by the child's parents. The incident, which occurred on March 17, 2025, at The Bay Club's El Segundo Clubhouse, has sparked outrage among the family and raised serious concerns about the safety protocols of the facility.
According to the lawsuit, the toddler, referred to as C.K., was left unattended at the daycare center while his father, Matthew Kittle, was supposed to be at another location, the Manhattan Country Club, for three hours. At approximately 9:20 a.m., a female employee at the El Segundo Clubhouse reportedly swung the child around and then launched him over her head, releasing his hands without catching him. The video footage, which was included in the lawsuit, shows the child falling to the ground, hitting his head on the hardwood floor, and the employee seemingly landing on top of him. Other staff members were seen reacting with shock and concern during the incident.
The parents, Matthew and Elena Kittle, were initially informed by the daycare that C.K. had simply "fallen" and had "calmed down." However, upon picking up their son at 10:10 a.m., they discovered that C.K. had sustained significant injuries, including facial bruises, a swollen right eye, and a swollen mouth. The child was described as extremely drowsy, lethargic, and irritable once he arrived home. The parents later took C.K. to the emergency room at Torrance Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.
In addition to the physical harm, the lawsuit claims that C.K. also experienced hearing loss as a result of the incident. The parents have alleged that the daycare worker misrepresented the height of the fall, claiming it was only about 1.5 feet, despite the video clearly showing the child was at least six feet in the air before impact. This discrepancy has led the family to accuse the daycare of negligence, fraud, and emotional distress.
The Bay Club, which operates multiple high-end fitness and country clubs across the West Coast, has not commented on the ongoing legal proceedings. In a statement, the company emphasized its commitment to the safety of its members, team members, and the families it serves. The El Segundo Clubhouse, which houses a 14,000-square-foot childcare center, is described on its website as providing supervised activities for children.
The lawsuit, filed by the Kittle family through their attorney, outlines several charges against The Bay Club Co. LLC and Bay Club South Bay LLC. These include allegations of negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, intentional concealment, and battery. The parents are seeking compensation for the damages caused by the incident, which they claim has had lasting effects on their son's health and well-being.
As the case proceeds, the outcome could set a precedent for how such incidents are handled in childcare settings, particularly within private fitness clubs that offer daycare services. The incident highlights the importance of strict safety measures and proper training for all personnel working with young children. The Kittles' experience underscores the potential consequences of even seemingly playful actions when they involve vulnerable individuals.
2 reports
NBC NewsIndependentCenter11 hr. agoA lawsuit has been filed against The Bay Club, an upscale fitness and country club in Southern California, alleging that a childcare worker threw a 23-month-old toddler into the air and failed to catch him, leading to a traumatic brain injury. According to the complaint, the incident occurred on March 17, 2025, at the El Segundo Clubhouse, where the child was under supervision. The employee reportedly tossed the child approximately six feet into the air before dropping him onto the hardwood floor, causing a concussion and lasting effects. Security footage included in the lawsuit shows the incident, with other staff reacting in shock afterward. The club allegedly downplayed the severity of the fall to the parents, informing them that the child 'had fallen' and 'had calmed down.' The lawsuit includes claims of negligence, fraudulent concealment, and emotional distress. The Bay Club has stated that member safety is its top priority but declined to comment further due to ongoing litigation.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a legal case involving a childcare facility and a physical injury to a minor. It presents the facts of the incident, the allegations made in the lawsuit, and the club's response. There is no indication of ideological framing, biased language, or selective emphasis on one side.
The Daily WireIndependentCenteryesterdayA toddler named C.K. suffered a traumatic brain injury and hearing loss after being thrown into the air by a daycare worker at the Bay Club Clubhouse in El Segundo, California, according to a lawsuit filed by his parents, Matt and Elena Kittle. Video footage from March 2025 shows the daycare worker playfully tossing the 23-month-old boy above her head, failing to catch him, and both falling to the ground. The worker appears to land on top of the child during the fall, causing him to hit his head. The parents were initially misled by the daycare, which claimed the fall was minor and only involved a short drop. However, medical evaluation revealed severe injuries, prompting the family to file a lawsuit alleging negligence, battery, fraud, and emotional distress. The case highlights concerns about safety protocols in childcare facilities.
Bias read (Center): While the incident involves a serious legal and ethical issue, the article presents the facts objectively without overtly favoring any political ideology. It focuses on the specific allegations against the daycare facility rather than broader political debates or policy discussions. The tone remains
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