A 4-year-old child is in critical but stable condition after falling from a fifth-story opening of a Long Beach apartment building on Wednesday, May 20, turning an early evening on Long Beach Boulevard into a major emergency response.
Police and firefighters were called to the 1000 block of Long Beach Boulevard at about 6 p.m., after someone reported that a young child had fallen from an upper floor. Video from the scene showed several units with balconies, and authorities had not immediately clarified whether the child fell from a window or a balcony.
What We Know So Far
Officers arrived alongside paramedics, who rushed the child to a hospital, according to NBC Los Angeles. The station reported that the child is 4 years old and was being treated in critical but stable condition.
Investigators remained at the scene Wednesday night, but only limited information was released publicly. As of that initial report, officials had not detailed how the fall occurred or whether anyone else was in the apartment at the time, and they had not provided any updates beyond the child’s condition.
How Often Kids Fall From Windows
Falls are a leading cause of unintentional injury for children and teens in the United States, according to the CDC. When it comes specifically to windows, child-safety advocates say the numbers add up quickly.
Safe Kids Worldwide reports that more than 3,300 children age 5 and under are hurt each year in window falls. The risk is highest for toddlers and preschoolers, who are big enough to climb onto beds, chairs, or other furniture but too young to understand how dangerous an open window can be.
Prevention Steps for Parents and Landlords
Safety experts point to relatively simple, low-cost fixes that can dramatically cut the risk of a fall. Those include installing window guards or stops that keep openings from going wider than about four inches and keeping beds, couches, and other climbable furniture away from windows.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other safety groups also stress that insect screens are not designed to prevent falls and should never be relied on for that purpose. They recommend quick-release window guards so residents can still get out in case of a fire, and they encourage tenants in multi-story buildings to work with property managers or owners to install proper safety devices.
What Happens Next
When NBC Los Angeles first reported the incident, Long Beach police had not released any additional information about how the fall occurred or whether anyone might face charges. Detectives appeared to still be examining the scene and gathering witness statements.
Police typically share updates through official bulletins or follow-up statements as investigations move forward, so more details may emerge in the coming days. According to NBC Los Angeles, anyone with information about the incident was asked to contact local authorities.
