Girl's fall from Tipton home window was accident, investigation finds
An investigation launched after parents claimed their one-year-old daughter fell from a window at their Tipton home after a council worker left it open has ruled it was an accident.
Lilly Taylor had surgery after suffering a head injury caused by the fall at the family's home in Highfield Road last October.
The youngster, who fell from a first floor window, continued her recovery at home while an investigation was launched by Sandwell Council and West Midlands Police.
Today both the police and the council say the investigation has concluded that Lilly's fall was an accident and no further action would be taken.
The accident happened after a workman had been carrying out repairs at the family home.
Speaking at the time her father Craig Taylor said three windows in the house were being replaced on the day and believed a bedroom window had been left ajar.
Today Mr Taylor said they had not been aware of the conclusion of the probe, adding: "I have heard nothing and we have been waiting."
He said the family could not speak further at this stage as they had been taking legal advice.
Sandwell Council's director of neighbourhoods, Adrian Scarrott, said: "Both the police and Sandwell Council carried out investigations at the time of the incident and both investigations resulted in the decision that no further action was needed."
A West Midlands Police spokesman added: "An enquiry was conducted during which the child's parents and a council workman – who'd carried out repair work on windows at the property – were spoken to.
"The conclusion was that the child's fall was an accident."
Mr Taylor previously spoke of his horror at finding his young daughter lying in his garden as he returned home from a DIY store.
It is believed that after being put down for a nap, she had crawled out of an open window before plunging to the ground.
Speaking after the accident, he said: "I'm traumatised, I will never, ever forget this.
"We have just moved in and I am redecorating my little girl's room, so I went to the DIY store to get some more paper. When I got back, everyone was crowded up the alley by the side of my house.
"I walked up there and found my little girl on the floor, choking on her tongue.
"I ran up to her, took her tongue out of her mouth and put her in the recovery position."
Lilly was then rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital for emergency surgery.
His partner, Stephanie Moreton, then aged 21, was sitting downstairs watching television with their older son Tyler when Lilly fell.
