A family is pursuing legal action against the Bay Club’s El Segundo Clubhouse in California following a distressing incident involving their 23-month-old son. The child reportedly suffered a traumatic brain injury when a daycare employee threw him into the air and failed to catch him during a supervised activity in March 2025.
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On 17 March 2025, Matthew Kittle had left his son, referred to as C.K. in the lawsuit, at the Bay Club’s daycare facility around 8:30 am. According to reports from local media, Kittle intended to return for his son approximately three hours later. However, the day’s events took a troubling turn when the daycare staff recorded the incident that would lead to the family’s claims of negligence.
Footage from the daycare shows the employee swinging C.K. by the arms multiple times before sending him airborne. Unfortunately, the worker failed to catch the child as he fell approximately six feet to the ground, reportedly hitting his head before the employee landed on top of him. The severity of the incident was not fully grasped by the parents at the time, as they allege the daycare staff misled them about the nature and seriousness of their son’s injuries.
The Kittle family’s attorney, Ryan Saba, expressed outrage at what he describes as a deliberate deception on the part of the Bay Club. He stated that parents should expect transparency and urgency when their child suffers any injury while in care. Saba called the facility’s response to the incident “inexcusable,” asserting that it is the responsibility of caregivers to properly inform parents about any problems that arise.
The Bay Club, in response to the lawsuit, has maintained that they are unable to comment on ongoing legal matters but categorically stated that the safety of their members and the children under their care is their utmost priority.
Following the incident, initial communication from the Bay Club suggested to Kittle that C.K. did not require early pickup, even after staff members contacted him regarding the child’s distress. Around 9:45 am, Kittle received another call from the daycare asking him to come fetch his son, who was evidently unable to settle down after the fall. The suit alleges that the Bay Club downplayed the situation, giving the impression that C.K. had merely sustained a minor injury, which was misleading at best.
Medical evaluation post-incident revealed severe injuries including a swollen eye, facial bruising, and other symptoms consistent with head trauma. The family’s complaint details that C.K. exhibited signs of irritability and lethargy, which raised immediate concerns regarding his health following the incident. Reports indicate that despite being taken to a hospital for treatment, C.K. continues to experience lingering symptoms, including hearing loss.
The Kittle family is seeking unspecified damages and costs associated with this case from the Bay Club. Citing false representations of the events that transpired, the legal documents allege that staff mischaracterised what occurred, further complicating the family’s understanding of their son’s condition.
This incident has brought to light the paramount importance of stringent safety protocols in childcare settings, particularly those involving young children vulnerable to injury. As the case unfolds, it raises critical questions regarding accountability and the standard of care expected from facilities designed to support families.
As of now, both the family and the Bay Club have refrained from further commentary while the legal proceedings advance, leaving many to speculate on the outcomes that await. The Kittle family’s pursuit of justice highlights the ongoing discussions on childcare safety and the ethical obligations of custodians towards the children entrusted to them.