Heart-Stopping Video: Daycare Worker Hurls Toddler Sky-High — Then Drops Him, Leaving Baby With Life-Altering Brain Damage
In a disturbing incident that has sparked outrage among parents nationwide, a toddler suffered traumatic brain injury after a daycare worker at an upscale California facility recklessly tossed him high into the air and failed to catch him, according to a lawsuit filed by the child’s devastated parents.
The shocking event occurred in March 2025 at The Bay Club Clubhouse in El Segundo, California, a childcare facility associated with the exclusive Manhattan Country Club. Twenty-three-month-old C.K. was under the supervision of a staff member when the incident unfolded. Video stills obtained in the legal filings reveal the worker swinging the toddler by his arms and launching him well above her head in what appeared to be an attempt at playful interaction. Moments later, she lost control. The child plummeted, crashing to the ground as the employee fell on top of him.
The impact was devastating. C.K. struck his head, immediately bursting into hysterical cries while other adults in the room watched in apparent shock. Initially, the facility downplayed the severity. His father, Matt Kittle, received a phone call shortly after dropping off his son, with staff claiming the boy had only fallen about one and a half feet and had calmed down. They suggested no immediate pickup was necessary. However, just minutes later, another call urged the parents to retrieve the child, who remained inconsolable.
Upon arriving home, the toddler exhibited alarming symptoms: the right side of his face badly bruised, his right eye swollen shut, and extreme drowsiness, lethargy, and irritability. Medical evaluation at Torrance Hospital confirmed blunt head trauma and a traumatic brain injury. Further assessments revealed lasting hearing loss. The parents later obtained video evidence showing the child had been thrown at least six feet in the air — a stark contrast to the facility’s initial account.
Traumatic brain injuries in toddlers are particularly concerning because young children’s brains are still developing rapidly. Falls remain one of the leading causes of such injuries in children under four, often resulting in long-term effects on cognitive development, motor skills, and sensory functions like hearing. In this case, C.K. continues to experience symptoms from the trauma, highlighting the fragility of early childhood and the immense responsibility placed on caregivers.
The lawsuit, filed by Matt and Elena Kittle, accuses The Bay Club of negligence, battery, fraud, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It further alleges the facility is not properly licensed by California authorities and misrepresents its exemption status. While marketed as a convenient childcare option for club members, the suit claims parents are not always required to remain on the premises. The family is seeking damages to be determined by a jury.
This case underscores broader concerns about safety standards in childcare settings, especially in facilities serving affluent communities. Parents entrust these centers with their most precious responsibility, expecting vigilant, trained supervision rather than reckless horseplay that can permanently alter a child’s life. As the legal proceedings advance, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences when basic safety protocols are ignored. The Bay Club has not publicly commented on the allegations.
