Toddler falls three stories

LEWISTON — A toddler who fell Tuesday morning from a third-story window is listed in fair condition at a local hospital.

According to police, the 22-month-old boy, David O’Connor, fell through a window screen from an apartment at 21 Walnut St. shortly before 11:30 a.m.

The boy’s father, Jonathan O’Connor, 31, said he was in the bathroom at the time; the mother, Crystal Martin, 40, was in the living room. The toddler had been in his crib, but apparently climbed out then fell out of his bedroom window.

The father said he went to check on his son and noticed the ripped screen. He rushed to the window. When he looked out, he saw the boy was standing on the ground behind the building looking up at his father, police said.

The mother reported the fall.

The father went outside and carried his son around to the side of the building, cradling the boy on the steps until ambulance workers arrived.

They carried the diapered boy to a portable gurney and strapped him to it before wheeling him to a waiting ambulance. The boy appeared to be conscious.

The boy’s mother climbed into the ambulance with her son; the boy’s father stayed behind with the couple’s 3-year-old daughter, police said. The boy was taken to Central Maine Medical Center, where he was admitted and was being treated.

Police Lt. Michael McGonagle said it’s understandable that many city dwellers feel the need to open windows during the warm weather, but urged them to take the needed safety precautions if young children live in the home. Window locks and safety bars can help prevent accidents like this, he said.