3-year-old boy dies after falling 8 stories from high-rise apartment

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) – The Independence Police Department is investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy who fell eight stories from a high-rise apartment building in Independence, Missouri, Monday morning.

According to IPD, just after 10:10 a.m., crews were dispatched to the Independence Towers, an apartment complex near N. Jennings Road and E. Susquehanna Drive, on reports that a child had fallen from an apartment.

Upon arrival, crews found a 3-year-old boy face down in the grass with multiple serious injuries after he had fallen from an eighth-floor window.

EMS said the toddler was unconscious and breathing on the way to Centerpoint Medical Center, but shortly after applying oxygen, he woke up and attempted to take the oxygen off his face.

Once EMS arrived at Centerpoint with the boy, he was immediately moved to Children’s Mercy Hospital. Hours later, police confirmed he died from his injuries.

“This is a heart-wrenching call; this is something that you take home with you,” Battalion Chief with the Independence Fire Department Eric Michel said. “It will stay with them for the rest of their careers.”

Michel said his heart goes out to his crew and the family.

“This isn’t the first time that we’ve had kids fall out of windows. Be cognizant, be aware, whether you live in an apartment building or you live in your own home,” Michel said. “Make sure you have window stops in the windows, especially in bedrooms of children. Anything like this can happen to anyone.”

CK Wilkinson has family who lives in the building and shared concerns. He said tenants constantly struggle with AC problems but believed things were looking up when new owners took over in May.

“They do all kinds of precautions. Since the new people have taken over, they’ve really been changing stuff, but there’s only so much you can do so quick, but they have been putting a good effort out, it seems. But I’ve got a granddaughter out here, so it worries me sometimes.”

Michel said in the last three years, between police and fire, they’ve been called here more than 700 times.

This past June, a fire happened at an apartment at the Independence Towers. IFD previously said tenants of 27 apartments spanning three floors had been displaced due to smoke and fire damage.

Since then, Michel said the new owners of the building have been cooperative in trying to keep things up to code but said there are a lot of repairs that need to happen.

Elliot West has lived there for eight years. West said AC problems have plagued the Independence Towers for years, forcing people to keep their windows open.

“Probably wouldn’t have happened if everybody didn’t have to have their windows open,” West said.

West is a leader with KC Tenants and said they’ll try to assist the family.

“It’s a child,” West said, “a kid doesn’t need to lose their life or have to fight for it because of the fact that issues aren’t being fixed. So certain situations aren’t being put into play.”

Police said the child was not home alone. They will continue to investigate.

The Independence Police Department announced that it will be conducting the investigations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.