Parents Face Child Abuse Charges After One-Year-Old Falls From Apartment Balcony

A couple in North Carolina, United States, have been arrested after their one-year-old son reportedly fell from a third-floor balcony while they were asleep.

The suspects, identified as 28-year-old Jawon Lee Whitley and 26-year-old Saniyah Minchaye Person, were each charged with negligent child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, according to court records.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to a residence at about 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, following reports that a child had fallen from a balcony.

The toddler was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. According to information contained in the arrest warrant, the boy allegedly opened an unsecured patio door while his parents were sleeping before climbing over the balcony railing and falling.

The documents further indicated that the child sustained a fractured pelvis and a punctured lung as a result of the incident.

Whitley was reportedly still being held in custody as of Tuesday, with his bond set at $50,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 30, while Person is expected to appear in court on December 3. Her bond amount was not immediately disclosed.

The sheriff’s office confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the couple are facing charges over allegations that their failure to secure access to the balcony exposed their young child to a serious danger. The allegations are yet to be determined in court.