Miami

Toddler Hospitalized After Falling From 2nd Floor Balcony in North Miami

A two-year-old boy was airlifted to the hospital Monday evening after he fell from a 2nd floor balcony in North Miami. The toddler was taken to Ryder Trauma Center in critical but stable condition.

The two-year-old was home with his grandmother at the time of the incident. The grandmother said the child was sleeping when she decided to go to the kitchen to prepare food. That's when she heard the boy crying and initially could not find him until she looked outside and found him in the parking lot, North Miami police said. The boy fell on a grassy spot below. 

The incident happened at an apartment complex on Northeast 148th Street and 18th Avenue.

Doctors are checking the child for internal injuries, but he is expected to recover.

"Being a police officer for 18 years it's one of the most difficult things we have to deal with on a daily basis; it's any incident involving a child," said Cmdr. Rafael Estrugo, North Miami Police Department.

Police initially reported that the child fell from a window, but they later learned the window where they thought he fell from was screwed shut. The balcony door had been opened and that how the child slipped out onto the balcony, police said. 

"It is amazing how resilient children are and it's great news the child is expected to live," said Estrugo.

Detectives said described the incident as an accident and are not expected to file criminal charges.

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