SEBASTIAN – A two-year-old child was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital Monday afternoon after falling out of a moving vehicle in Sebastian, authorities said.
The child was reported to be alert and responsive but sustained facial and possible head injuries. The Sebastian Police Department responded to the 1400 block area of southbound Schumann Drive, south of Barber Street, after a call came in about the incident, according to police spokesman Officer Steve Marcinik.
An on-coming driver began slowing down once the driver noticed the car’s door open. The driver then saw the child fall out of the vehicle, according to Officer Marcinik.
Authorities said Thelma Sneede, of Wabasso, had her grandson buckled into a car seat behind her seat.
“The child had reportedly unbuckled the seatbelt and opened the car door and fell out,” the report states.
The investigation is on going and charges are pending.
Under Florida law, children under the age of 18 must be buckled up while riding anywhere within any vehicle. Children up to age 3 must be secured in a federally approved child-restraint seat. And children ages 4 through 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child-restraint seat or a safety belt.
