Baby fractures skull in fall; mother performs life-saving CPR
An Ohio mother’s quick actions saved her nine-month-old daughter’s life after the infant fell from a kitchen counter, suffering a fractured skull. Ashley Conley, 30, was at her home in Batavia, Ohio, preparing lunch when the horrifying accident unfolded.
Conley had placed her daughter, Callie, in a baby seat on the kitchen island while she cooked and her husband, Kyle, unpacked groceries. Turning away for just a moment to boil pasta, Conley heard a thud and turned to see her baby lying on the hardwood floor, still strapped in her seat.
A life-saving response amid panic
Conley rushed to pick Callie up, only to witness the baby begin to have a seizure. “Her eyes rolled back, and she started foaming at the mouth,” Conley recounted.
The situation escalated when Callie stopped breathing. Conley performed CPR on her daughter while Kyle, 31, frantically called 911. Paramedics arrived within minutes and took over resuscitation efforts, restoring Callie’s breathing before rushing her to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
A CT scan revealed that Callie had fractured her skull, but fortunately, there was no bleeding on the brain. Doctors reassured Conley that the injury would heal on its own, describing it as the best possible outcome in such a fall.
A terrifying experience turned into a warning
Since the incident, Conley has used social media to share her story and warn parents about the dangers of placing baby seats on elevated surfaces. “It’s every parent’s worst nightmare,” she said in a TikTok video. “I felt ashamed and embarrassed for putting her up there, but I’ve seen this so commonly on social media. People don’t realize the risks.”
Conley emphasized the importance of raising awareness, hoping her story would prevent similar accidents.
A long road to recovery
Although Callie initially appeared to recover fully, she has since experienced multiple seizures, including a grand mal seizure four months after the fall. While doctors suspect the seizures are unrelated to the accident, Conley believes there may be a connection.
“We’ve done EEGs, and they’re still investigating,” Conley said. “If she continues to have seizures, we’ll consider genetic testing and further monitoring.”
Despite the seizures, Callie, now 15 months old, is thriving developmentally. “She’s talking well, she’s on track, and she hasn’t shown any developmental issues,” Conley said.
A message for parents
Conley hopes her story serves as a cautionary tale. “It was the worst day of my life, but I want to make something good come from it,” she said. “Parents need to know the dangers of elevated surfaces—it’s not worth the risk.”
For now, the family remains focused on Callie’s health and well-being, cherishing every moment after their harrowing experience.
