Toddler airlifted after falling from roof

RANDEE DADDONA PHOTO
Emergency responders transported a 21-month-old Southold girl to Stony Brook University Trauma Center Wednesday after she fell from the roof of her parents’ apartment.

A 21-month-old Southold girl was airlifted to Stony Brook University Trauma Center Wednesday after falling from the roof of her parents’ Andersen Road apartment, according to a Southold Town Police report. When police arrived, they said the girls’ parents and grandfather “appeared intoxicated.”

Candice and James Higdon said their daughter, Jayla, accessed the roof after she was left unattended in a room where the window left open for a cat to move in and out of the house, according to the report. James’ father, James Sr., said he saw his granddaughter hanging from the ledge, before falling 10 feet onto a wooden porch step, the report says.

James Higdon Jr., 40, was denied access to the emergency helicopter after a breath test indicated he had a blood alcohol content of .13, according to the police report. 

Ms. Higdon, 27, told police she sent her daughter to the second floor room because of “bad behavior.”

Southold Police said they notified child protective services of the incident. An investigation is ongoing.

Jayla’s condition was unknown at the time of publication.