A toddler sustained severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and hearing loss, after a daycare worker allegedly tossed him into the air and dropped him, according to a lawsuit filed by his parents. The incident occurred in March 2025 at The Bay Club Clubhouse in El Segundo, California.
The lawsuit, filed by parents Matt and Elena Kittle, outlines that their 23-month-old son, identified as “C.K.,” was being played with by an employee who swung him by his arms into the air. Stills from video obtained as part of the legal documents show the child airborne and subsequently falling to the ground with the employee.
According to the lawsuit, C.K. hit his head during the fall and began crying hysterically. His parents were initially notified by The Bay Club stating that C.K. had fallen and calmed down, with staff suggesting he did not need to be picked up. However, approximately fifteen minutes later, the daycare center called back, indicating C.K. needed to be collected and had not settled down. The lawsuit states the facility gave Mr. Kittle the impression that the injury was minor.
Upon arriving home, C.K. was described as extremely drowsy, lethargic, and irritable, with the right side of his face badly bruised and his right eye and mouth swollen. An employee allegedly told his father that the fall was only about one and a half feet. However, after requesting video footage, the parents observed their son had been at least six feet in the air when he fell.
By 11:30 a.m. on the day of the incident, C.K. was taken to Torrance Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. The lawsuit states he continues to experience symptoms, including hearing loss, as a result of the injury.
The lawsuit further alleges that The Bay Club is not licensed by the California Department of Social Services and improperly claims an exemption because parents remain on the premises. However, the suit notes that parents who are members of the associated Manhattan Country Club are not required to stay on the premises when their children are cared for at the Clubhouse.
Matt Kittle dropped his son off at the facility at 8:35 a.m. The Bay Club Clubhouse is associated with the Manhattan Country Club, where membership initiation fees begin at $25,000 with monthly dues of $1,000. The club's website indicates that children of members can be supervised at the Bay Club Clubhouse without additional fees.
The Kittle family is seeking an unspecified amount to be determined by a jury. They have accused The Bay Club of negligence, battery, fraud, and emotional distress. The California Post reported that The Bay Club did not immediately respond to requests for comment.