San Mateo County

Toddler Dies After Falling Out of Third-Story Window in Foster City

A two-year-old boy accidentally fell out of a window on the third floor of a Foster City building Thursday and died from the severity of his injuries later that night, police said.

"It is with heavy hearts that we confirm the passing of yesterday’s fall victim," Foster City police Capt. Tracy Avelar said in a statement Friday. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and community."

Firefighters were dispatched at 8:19 a.m. to the Water's Edge apartment complex at 1200 E. Hillsdale Blvd on a report of the fall, San Mateo-Foster City-Belmont Fire Battalion Chief Chuck Goodwin said.

The child and his mother were walking in the hallway when she looked out of a window that although open was covered by a screen. The boy leaned against the screen, but it popped out, police said.

He fell three stories and landed on the ground below, according to police.

While a medical helicopter was en route, medics treated the child at the scene. They then turned over the boy to medical helicopter nurses and he was flown to Stanford Hospital.

Neighbors said Thursday that news of the fall had distressed them, and they were praying for the family. 

Foster City police said Thursday that the investigation is ongoing, but so far, neither the parents nor the property owner have been held responsible for what’s being called a freak accident.

A spokesperson for the apartment complex sent out a statement saying officials' thoughts and prayers are with the family, but did not comment on whether the windows will be closed in the future.

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