El Segundo, CA – A childcare facility operated by the Bay Club fitness club in El Segundo, California, is currently embroiled in a lawsuit filed by parents who allege their 23-month-old son sustained a traumatic brain injury while in the facility's care on March 17, 2025. Matthew and Elena Kittle claim that the Bay Club Clubhouse childcare center misled them about the circumstances of their son, identified as C.K.'s, injury, an account which they contend is directly contradicted by surveillance footage.
According to the lawsuit, C.K. was dropped off at the Bay Club Clubhouse while his father attended activities at a separate Bay Club location nearby. The parents assert that Bay Club staff initially described the incident as a minor fall, suggesting the child had fallen approximately 1.5 feet after an employee lost her balance. This initial description, the lawsuit claims, gave the impression that the injury was not serious. However, the parents grew concerned when they were contacted later that day and informed that C.K. needed to be picked up because staff members could not calm him down.
Upon his arrival, C.K.'s father reportedly discovered the child with significant facial bruising, a swollen eye, and a swollen mouth. The parents immediately took C.K. to an emergency room for evaluation. Medical staff at the emergency room, according to the lawsuit, questioned whether the observed injuries were consistent with the daycare's description of a short fall, recommending that the parents confirm the exact sequence of events. C.K. was subsequently diagnosed with a concussion, blunt head trauma, and facial abrasions. The lawsuit states that the child continues to experience symptoms related to his traumatic brain injury, including ongoing hearing issues.
The family later obtained surveillance footage of the incident, which they allege presented a starkly different version of events than what they had been told. The lawsuit claims the video shows an employee engaging with C.K. by holding him by his arms, swinging him between her legs, and then lifting him over her head. The complaint further alleges that the employee failed to catch the child, resulting in him falling approximately six feet onto a hardwood floor. The footage reportedly shows the employee then falling backward, landing on top of the toddler.
The lawsuit accuses the Bay Club of attempting to conceal the true nature of the incident and alleges that the facility’s official incident report was inaccurate and misleading. The complaint specifies multiple allegations against the Bay Club, including negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, fraud, battery, and emotional distress. The Kittles are seeking a jury trial and damages to compensate for their son’s injuries and the alleged mishandling of the incident.
Beyond the immediate circumstances of C.K.'s injury, the lawsuit also raises questions regarding the Bay Club's compliance with California state childcare licensing requirements. The complaint alleges that the Bay Club’s facility may not qualify for an exemption from these state rules, which typically apply to operations where parents are required to remain on the premises while their children are supervised. The lawsuit suggests that because parents are not always required to stay at the same location as their children at the Bay Club, the facility should be subject to stricter state licensing oversight.
In response to the allegations, the Bay Club has declined to comment directly on the pending litigation. However, the company issued a statement asserting that the safety of its members, employees, and families remains its highest priority. The case is currently pending in court, with the parents seeking a resolution through the judicial system.
