A 6-year-old child died Tuesday night after falling from a balcony at the 200 Webster apartment building in Madison, according to Metro Nashville police. Officers were called to the complex after a 911 caller reported finding the child outside on the ground. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
Officers responded to the 200 Webster apartments on East Webster Street at about 8:40 p.m. Tuesday, WKRN reported. The outlet noted that investigators believe the child fell roughly 81 feet from an apartment unit, and that the person who called 911 discovered the child outside the building. Metro police told the station that detectives are now working to determine how the fall happened.
Where it happened
The 200 Webster complex is a high-rise apartment community in Madison that, according to the property's leasing site, advertises private balconies on many units. The building lists studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, with balconies promoted as one of the amenities.
Police investigating
Metro Nashville police said detectives are actively investigating the death and trying to piece together the events leading up to the fall. As of now, officials have not released the child's identity or a detailed timeline of what occurred, as reported by WKRN.
Safety context
Falls from height are among the most severe home injuries for children and are a leading cause of traumatic brain injury in kids, according to health experts. The CDC recommends safety steps such as window guards or stops, stair gates, and close supervision around upper-floor balconies and windows to help reduce the risk of these incidents.
Metro police say the investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Metro Nashville police.
