A six-year-old girl has died after falling from a bedroom window at an apartment building in North York on Sunday night, police say.
The incident happened at one of four high-rise buildings in a complex on Chalkfarm Drive, near Jane Street, at around 8:15 p.m.
Police say they were initially called to that area for a report of “unknown trouble.” The child was found a child deceased on the grass on the south side of the building.
‘Very, very sad’
On Monday, several residents of the building expressed sadness and disbelief at what has happened, some saying the child was well known to them.
“It’s very sad. I knew the little girl personally. She used to come here all the time and play with my ring camera,” one resident said.
“She was a jumpy kid, a pretty lively kid. I feel bad for her family,” added another.
Jahlique James says it was a quarter after eight when she learned her neighbour’s daughter had plunged 28 storeys to her death.
“It’s crazy that I will never see this child again coming on my bus. I see her every morning. So it’s very, very sad,” she said.
Another woman who lives in the building said she’s “devastated” by what has happened.
“This has never happened before, and, yeah, I grew up here, so it’s just weird to see and I’m on I live on (the south) side, so it’s just heartbreaking and I feel for the family,” she said.
Neighbours say the child’s mother is overseas in Nigeria, and she was being babysat by a family friend who lives in the top floor.
Safety mechanisms in place
Residents say they can’t understand how the accident happened, given the windows have safety mechanisms.
“To be fair, they do have precautions on these windows, on these balconies, to make sure these things don’t happen,” one said.
Another added that the windows are bolted and they can’t be fully opened.
Property owner ‘deeply saddened’ by incident
On Monday, Greenwin, the owner of the affected property at 200 Chalkfarm Dr., said it is “deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” adding their “hearts and sympathies are with the child’s family and all others affected.”
The landlord went on to say it is grateful for the efforts of emergency services, which responded promptly to the call at their four-building complex known as The Oaks.
Greenwin added that police were “immediately notified” of the incident and are “fully cooperating with that investigation.”
“We recognize this is an incredibly difficult time for our residents. The safety and well-being of everyone in our building remain our highest priority,” the corporation said in a written statement.
“Out of respect for the family and given the ongoing investigation, we will not be making any further statements at this time.”
The company did not comment on the state of the windows at that building, nor would it say when they were last inspected.
Investigation continues
In a post on social media on Monday, Toronto police said officers remain on scene as they await the results of an autopsy.
They say this incident doesn’t appear to be suspicious but the investigation is ongoing.
With files from CTV News Toronto’s Janice Golding
