A New Jersey community suffered a tragic loss when a 2-year-old fell to his death on November 15, 2025. The unidentified child reportedly dropped from a window on the 20th floor at the Elizabeth Towers in Newark. Residents are now calling for action to make the building safer and hopefully prevent this type of tragedy from occurring again. It seems the run-down facility lacks support, however, and those who live there aren’t sure what to do next.
News 12 reported that first responders arrived at the building at 455 Elizabeth Avenue around 7 a.m., after a report of a child falling. When emergency crews got to the scene, they found the toddler deceased. It’s unclear how the child fell from the window, but the accident didn’t surprise some residents.
Annia Richardson, who’s lived at Elizabeth Towers for 40 years, told News 12 that the apartment building has many issues and that it’s difficult to get anyone to fix them.
“They don’t have enough help, I’ll say it, to get things done,” Richardson said.
Other neighbors, like Paul Ankrah, told NBC New York the toddler’s death saddened them. “This is really tough,” Ankrah said. “The window is big, it’s really big.”
Ankrah said he asked management to cover his windows to protect his child. “My windows are safe. Before I moved in, I made sure they put up the barricade,” he explained.
A resident who wished to remain anonymous told NBC New York they adored the 2-year-old boy.
“I really love him. I’m really sad. My heart is broken,” the person shared. “A couple of days (ago), I was just playing right here with him.”
NBC New York reported seeing windows in varying stages of disrepair and makeshift fixes. It looked as if residents have tried everything from garbage bags to plywood to make the windows safer.
Many commented on NBC New York’s Facebook page, wondering how this accident happened.
“No matter what floor you are on window guards should be installed in every apartment. You should not have to ask because you have kids. Should be done no matter what,” one person wrote.
Others criticized the family following the toddler’s death.
“Very sad for toddler and parents but common sense prevails here like putting extra bars etc to stop anyone from falling out whatever excuse they use. Yes I have feelings as well but common sense says it all,” one comment reads.
Some chose compassion, including a parent who’s been through a child loss, asking the comment section to hold judgment.
“As someone who has walked the road of losing a child, my heart breaks for this family. It is an unimaginable grief. This isn’t the time for assumptions or blame — it’s a time for compassion,” the person shared. “A young life was lost, and a family is shattered. Please let’s keep them close in our hearts.”
We have to agree with that parent. No one knows what happened in the seconds leading up to the child’s tragic death. Hopefully, this will be the impetus the building management needs to make the residence safer for everyone inside.
