Fitness Club Sued After Employee Allegedly Tossed Toddler In Air, Didn’t Catch Him

Matthew and Elena Kittle filed a lawsuit July 2 against a fitness club in California after a childcare worker allegedly tossed their 23-month-old son six feet in the air and didn’t catch him.

The Kittles’ son, identified by the initials C.K., suffered a traumatic brain injury on March 17, 2025, after a Bay Club emloyee at its El Segundo Clubhouse location in El Segundo tossed him in the air, according to the lawsuit obtained by the Daily Caller. The toddler’s head allegedly struck the hardwood floor after the employee failed to catch him with the worker falling atop him. Matthew dropped C.K. off at 8:35 a.m. at the Clubhouse and informed the workers that he would be at The Bay Club Manhattan Country Club for approximately three hours, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed against The Bay Clubs Co. LLC and Bay Club South Bay LLC, the latter of which operates both the Clubhouse and the Manhattan Country Club. C.K. was 23 months old at the time.

A security video from the Bay Club appears to show a childcare worker picking up C.K.and throwing him in the air. She swings him between her legs, above her head, lets go of his hands, and he falls over her head, according to the footage. She appears to fall on top of him. The lawsuit said C.K. then began crying hysterically. The incident allegedly happened at 9:20 a.m.

After the incident, the Bay Club called Matthew at 9:30 a.m. after a previous missed call to his wife and said C.K had “fallen” but “calmed down,” according to the lawsuit. The employee allegedly asked whether the Kittles would like to pick up their child but told them she did not think they needed to. The lawsuit argues she downplayed the severity of the incident.

Matthew first said he would consult with his wife before calling back at 9:34 a.m. and being told he was not allowed to speak to the El Segundo Clubhouse staff directly, the lawsuit alleged. He told the Bay Club staff he would pick up C.K. after the allotted time, according to the documents. (Read more from “Fitness Club Sued After Employee Allegedly Tossed Toddler In Air, Didn’t Catch Him” HERE)

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