A five-year-old boy of Hispanic descent is hospitalized and intubated after falling from the window of a fourth-floor apartment in Little Havana, Miami.
The incident occurred after the child apparently pushed the sliding window of a room in his home to look outside.
The tragedy was uncovered when the boy's grandmother, who was in the dining room with her granddaughter, heard the sirens of the ambulances and fire trucks. It was a neighbor who knocked on the door to inform her of what had happened.
According to the family, the child fell in a grassy area and was found by a neighbor who immediately called 911.
The child, identified as Dontavis Ponder, had just arrived from Broadmoore Elementary School, where he is in Kindergarten, when the accident occurred.
“He's a five-year-old boy who is always playing. If he's not watching television, he's with his toys,” said the child's aunt, Geeleen González, in a statement to Telemundo 51.
"My sister called me saying that she was informed that my nephew had fallen from the balcony," she expressed.
González explained that the fall occurred in the child's mother's room.
According to her account, no one in the apartment noticed the accident until the sirens arrived and the neighbor alerted them. "It's the first time something like this has happened," the aunt emphasized.
After being transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital, doctors performed a CT scan that ruled out head injuries and bone fractures in the minor.
However, it has been confirmed that the boy has a punctured lung and a liver injury.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, the family expressed relief that the child is alert and does not require immediate surgery.
The child's mother has stated that she is grateful her son is out of danger, though the family remains "nervous and worried" about the aftermath of the accident.
"We want you to be okay, that it's nothing serious or fatal," commented a family member.
The doctors have decided to keep the child under observation in the hospital over the weekend.
For now, no additional surgical interventions are expected, although his condition remains delicate. The family remains hopeful that Dontavis will make a full recovery.
Frequently asked questions about the child's accident in Miami and other similar incidents
How did the accident involving the child in Little Havana happen?
The accident occurred when the five-year-old boy pushed the sliding window of a fourth-floor room to look outside and fell to the ground. Fortunately, the child fell onto a grassy area, which cushioned his fall. He was found by a neighbor who immediately called 911.
What is the current health status of the child after the accident?
The child is hospitalized and intubated, but doctors have ruled out head injuries and bone fractures. However, he suffered a punctured lung and a liver injury. Despite his critical condition, the child is alert and does not require immediate surgery.
What safety measures can be taken to prevent similar accidents at home?
To prevent accidents like this, it is important to secure windows and balconies in homes with small children. Using safety locks or window stoppers, along with constantly supervising children, can significantly reduce the risk of falls from dangerous heights.
How do the healthcare systems of Cuba and the United States compare in the area of pediatric emergency care?
In the United States, access to advanced technology and immediate medical care makes a significant difference in pediatric emergency care. In Cuba, although there is quality medical training, the lack of resources and adequate equipment can limit efficient and safe care in critical situations, as evidenced by multiple reports of medical negligence.
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