Four children have fallen from New York City windows in the past five months, a concerning trend that has led some city officials to call on Mayor Zohran Mamdani to address fundamental safety concerns. All four children survived their falls.
The most recent incident occurred Monday in The Bronx when 5-year-old Dylan Moquete critically injured after falling from a fifth-floor window at 30 Buchanan Place. The boy's mother was traveling and he was being supervised by his 22-year-old sister. The child landed on pavement approximately 50 feet below and was transported to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. A family friend indicated that the boy sustained multiple fractures but was out of danger, with his vital organs unaffected, and that the fall was cushioned by trash.
The building's windows were not compliant with the city's 50-year-old window guard law, which mandates guards in windows not designated as emergency exits in apartments with children under 10. The Health Department stated the windows allowed a space of more than 4.5 inches.
Previous incidents include: A 5-year-old autistic boy fell from a third-floor window on April 6 in Morrisania, The Bronx. No window guard was present as the window faced a fire escape. The boy's mother had reportedly asked the landlord for a window gate, which was refused. A 3-year-old girl fell from a second-story window on May 27 in Glendale, Queens. The homeowner was not required to install window guards as the law applies to multi-unit buildings, not two-family homes. A 1-year-old boy fell from a fifth-floor window on July 17 in Mott Haven, The Bronx. Building management installed guards at the Health Department's direction after the fall.
During the fiscal year ending June 30, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) issued at least 5,868 window-guard violations citywide, a 17% decrease from the previous fiscal year.
City Councilman Phil Wong has called for a review of the city's window guard law enforcement. "Four children falling from windows in just a few months is deeply troubling, and the city should immediately review whether existing window-safety laws are being properly enforced and whether any gaps need to be addressed," Wong stated. He added that the administration should "focus on the basic, everyday issues of governing."
Councilwoman Joann Ariola criticized the mayor's focus, stating that Mamdani "campaigned on making life better for tenants" but has instead focused on other political matters. She urged the mayor to cease "needless political theater."
A spokesperson for the city Health Department stated that there has not been an increase in window falls this year compared to the last five years. The department noted that NYC's window guard laws have prevented numerous falls since their implementation over 50 years ago, with child window falls remaining in the single digits for at least the past five years.