Toddler Survives 15-Story Fall at Enclave Apartment Buildings

A two-year-old boy survived after falling from a 15th-floor apartment in The Enclave in White Oak on Thursday, May 15th. The boy, who fell off the apartment’s private balcony, is believed to have only suffered minor injuries including a broken arm. Thankfully, the toddler was saved by bushes and mulch that he landed in after his plummet.

No criminal charges have been filed during this ongoing investigation, however, this story raises several concerns regarding the safety of the balconies, which lack railings and instead only have protective glass. The scare also has made many parents in the neighborhoods and beyond very nervous, with one mother saying, β€œI was just thinking if it were my daughter, what would I do?” (WJLA).

It isn’t just parents who are concerned, however. With the White Oak area being very prominent to the Blake community, students likewise are sharing their concerns regarding the story. In fact, Maiwand Torub, a freshman here at Blake, and a resident of the same building, recalls seeing outside what he thought was at the time, β€œsomething like a dark plastic bag.” β€œWhen I went down all the people were there and were around the baby,” he noted. Additionally, upon the arrival of the police and fire & EMS first responders, Torub estimated that β€œmore than 100 people went there,” and added that β€œ[the baby’s] family was very happy and thankful that he was alive.” He also recalls that when he went to see the baby, he only seemed scared, but it never would’ve occurred to him that he fell since β€œthe baby was not bleeding and seemed okay.”

According to Torub, the Enclave building does not claim liability for the child’s fall and (minor) injuries due to the glass enclosing each balcony, along with the accidental nature of the situation. He added that β€œpeople should be careful with their children, especially around big buildings,” and emphasized that everyone should be cautious and aware of their surroundings.