Infant Fell from Three Story Apartment

What:
Press Conference/Public Safety Alert

When:
Thursday, August 23, 2001
3:30 p.m.

Where:
Rampart Community Police Station
2710 temple Street
Los Angeles, CA

Echo Park: On Wednesday, August 22, 2001, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Rampart Area patrol officers responded to the 1400 block of West 3rd Street, to investigate the cause of a ten-month-old infant girl falling from a third story apartment window.

The infant was transported to the University of Southern California Medical Center by Los Angeles fire Department Rescue Ambulance. Miraculously, the infant did not sustain any major injuries.

The investigation revealed that the mother had placed her daughter in the bed with her. The bed was placed next to an open window. Apparently when the infant awoke, she crawled from the bed onto the windowsill and fell out the window, where passersby came to her aid.

The purpose of this press conference is to warn and educate the public that high-rise apartments pose a risk of accidental falls when windows are not adequately secured with safety screens. The hot summer months increase the usage of opened windows, and it is the request of the Los Angeles Police Department to inform the public of these safety issues.

The press conference will be conducted by Captain Michael Moore, Commanding Officer, Rampart Community Police Station.

This media advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.