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Toddler Survives 9-Story Fall From Window

One little girl from Southfield is lucky to be alive after falling from a ninth floor window.  

The 2 and-a-half year-old's only injuries were a broken leg and some bruising. 

"She was crying and moving, which, you know, is always a good sign. It could have been a lot worse ... that's a big fall," said Southfield Police Lieutenant Nick Louissa.

Southfield Police said the incident happened at the North Park Place apartment complex Wednesday evening -- when the toddler apparently reached for a sippie cup on the window ledge. 

That's when the screen fell out, and the toddler took a 9-story tumble.  Police said it was likely a nearby tree that broke her fall.

Lt. Louissa said the family doesn't have any plans to move, but are in shock about what happened.

"They were distraught, as any, you know, mother or father or siblings would be. But, they're also grateful when they found out that, she only has a broken femur. It could have been a lot worse," Louissa said.

Police said this is the third incident involving a juvenile falling from that building in the last 10 years. 

According to a release from the police department, the City of Southfield is forming a task force comprised of the Building Department, Fire Department and Police Department to work with the management of the building in an effort to prevent incidents like this from occurring in the future. 

Although, the release reminds citizens that,"...window screens are not meant to be safety devices; they are intended to keep insects out; not prevent people from falling."

(Copyright 2010. WWJ Newsradio 950. All Rights Reserved.)

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