Gianna Hadjis died after a television fell on her over the weekend. (CBS)
Updated 1/16/2012 at 8:45 p.m.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. (CBS) – For a third time since October, a Chicago-area child has been killed by a falling TV.
Four-year-old Gianna Hadjis was killed at a home in the 600 block of Sullivan Lane in University Park, after a television fell on her head Sunday afternoon.
Gianna was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was pronounced dead at 2:54 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
“The worst was holding my little girl in my arms, cold as ice,” Adam Hadjis of Iowa, who shared custody of the preschooler, told CBS 2’s Dana Kozlov Monday. “Words can’t explain the thoughts and emotions that were running through my mind.”
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Regine Schlesinger reports
Police said it appeared an older box-style television accidentally toppled and fell on the girl’s head. It fractured her skull and caused fatal injuries. The accident occurred as Gianna and her mother, Yahira Jones, were at a friend’s home. Jones said her daughter was out of her sight for a matter of seconds.
“I would never (have) thought in a million years that I would lose my baby, especially like this,” she told reporters.
It was the third such death in the Chicago area since October.
Last fall, a 6-year-old boy from Arlington Heights and a 3-year-old Chicago girl died the same way.
Dr. Karen Sheehan, medical director of the injury prevention and research center at Children’s Memorial Hospital, said parents need to secure unstable televisions and other furniture pieces.
“You can buy straps to help secure the TV better or get a stand that’s made for a TV,” she said. “But if you can’t find a stand for the TV, sometimes it might be safer on the floor.”
Most of the accidents involve older, heavier TV sets. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, 245 children under the age of 8 were killed when they were crushed by falling TVs or other furniture between 2000 and 2010.
“Precaution, precaution, precaution,” Jones said. “Make sure, since children are so busy and so active … You have to be careful.”
80 Comments
We need a TV Czar! With new rules and inspectors that can inspect and fine negligent parents. Somebody alert JoMama Odrama Obama. He can fix this! Or, maybe Michelle…
January 16, 2012 at 12:28 pm
No Czar required. It is time to BAN TV’s.
January 16, 2012 at 3:29 pm
…and large wall art!
January 16, 2012 at 4:10 pm
The FCC should have mandated the use of flat screen TVs when broadcast television went all digital… then fatal accidents such as this one would have never happened. Vouchers for flat screen TVs? Why not?
January 17, 2012 at 2:06 pm
You cannot leave 4 year old children unattended, not even for a second. The kid was probably trying to change the channels, not knowing how to use the remote. When I say you can’t leave them unattended, that means you can’t even leave them alone in a room while you’re in another room. It is a lot of hard work, having small children, not everyone is up for it, which is why this happens to some kids, not even to mention the accidents that can happen when your standing right there.
January 16, 2012 at 12:38 pm
that only seems to be the case in this country. In japan 4yr olds are very mature and even ride the subways alone with less problems than their american teen counterparts. Way to go USA for creating such a dependent society, and its just getting worse.
January 16, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Betcha’ they were painted with lead-based paint ! We need a federal program for this scourge.
Where’s Jesse & Al when they’re REALLY needed?
January 16, 2012 at 12:58 pm
You absolutely have got to be kidding me. Wow, what a nation is scares mice. When I was 4, I was outside playing with friends, over a mile away from my house. You can’t leave FOUR YEAR OLDS alone in the NEXT ROOM????!!! That is the most ridiculous alarmist statement I’ve ever seen. Our children are doomed.
January 16, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Hmm, maybe this is the next round of cash for clunkers … trade in your old 300 lb. tube tv for an LCD TV!!!
January 16, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Remember riding in cars that didn’t have seatbelts?
January 16, 2012 at 1:46 pm
don’t forget those older cars had metal dashboards as well!, and we used to stand up in the car, even as toddlers – hey, we’re still around… we’re making safer products but stupider people
January 16, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Charles Darwin at work….
January 16, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Your child will be working for my child someday, assuming you are able to get your child a job. Judging by your post your child will not be capable of getting their own job.
January 16, 2012 at 1:26 pm
I wouldn’t want his child working for my child.
January 16, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Not true. You need to provide a safe environment for your child.
January 16, 2012 at 2:24 pm
I echo a lot of people here. “You cannot leave 4 year old children unattended, not even for a second” is a really inane statement.
More accurate from Rupert Pupkin and his ilk is “You cannot leave my 4 year child unattend, not even for a second.” His helipcopter parenting requires never-ending vigilance from the sharp pointy things and hard edges of this world. Even bubble wrapping his environment is not enough for the likes of him. In the guise of good and concerned parenting he overprotects…not realizing he’s teaching his kid to not be self-reliant and to not be trustworthy of handling many aspects of childhood.
My kids? Well, my children at 4 were cutting apples and carrots. At five they were handling a power drill. My thirteen year old changed my rear brakes a few months ago. Rupert’s kids? Well, they were inside wearing footballl helmets and safety goggles as they were microwaving popcorn. They don asbestos gloves when they open up the bag. Pathetic.
January 16, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Steve, you are a very sick person along with the many of you who probably have no children nor an education. I know the grandmother of this child and this child was beautiful and well mannered. ACCIDENTS happen to the good in the world. for those who feel the need to comment and blame the partents….shame on you and may you all rot in hell.
January 17, 2012 at 7:31 pm
This sounds like a legal way to get rid of unwanted children.
January 16, 2012 at 12:39 pm
YOU SHOULD WATCH WHAT YOU SAY “THOU SHALL NOT JUDGE” YOU DONT EVEN KNOW THEM
January 18, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Tlelevisions must be outlawed then
January 16, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Need to outlaw all TV’s that have more than 10 channels. Those high capacity TV’s are killing too many people on their own.
January 16, 2012 at 4:06 pm
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We need a government program to give free 55″ HDTVs to “the poor.”
For the children.
January 16, 2012 at 12:53 pm
There you go, Joe. I was following the thread and waiting for that one. We’re already giving out subsidized housing, free cell phones, and free laptops with free internet. Can large sized, flat screen TV’s be far away? It’s for the Children!!
January 16, 2012 at 2:02 pm
hey obama,,how about a tv czar,,,
January 16, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Maybe Comrade Obama will create a new czar to help with this problem.
January 16, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Yes, we need national legislation because Chicago is the shallow end of the US gene pool.
January 16, 2012 at 1:12 pm
And smoking has been banned in all bars, where only adults can attend, despite nobody every dying from second hand smoke. FourLoko was banned for fewer deaths of LEGAL ADULTS. Libs, you know what you have to do!
January 16, 2012 at 1:14 pm
LOL! Yeah, cuz it’s ALWAYS the liberals killing everyone elses fun. You’d never see a conservative calling for a ban on fun stuff, like sex toys, alcohol, wild herbs, and such. Because everyone knows that Republicans trust people to make their *own* decisions and would *never* try to legislate private, moral beliefs….BWAAAHAHAHA!!! Sorry. Couldn’t type all that and still keep a straight face…
January 16, 2012 at 1:38 pm
That’s funny I type with my fingers… no wonder your face hurts.
January 16, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Mara: It’s true! Try typing with your fingers. And, try reading with your eyes. And, try thinking with your brain!
These simple changes will open WORLDS for you!!
January 16, 2012 at 2:00 pm
The diference, Mara, is that the Republicans *try* but the Democrats succeed.
January 16, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Heh. Reading comprehension…it’s not just for school children anymore (nor should it be, if “Citizen’s” comment is any indication)
January 16, 2012 at 2:04 pm
Was this caused by Global Warming??? Or, is the Republican Party and/or the Tea Party to blame? I really need an answer here….
January 16, 2012 at 1:15 pm
None of the above; it’s ALL George Bush’s fault!
Geesh, you really have to commit some things to memory! Everything is George Bush’s fault; just ask Eric Holder, Barack Obama, and Jeremiah Wright!
They KNOW!
January 16, 2012 at 2:03 pm
LOQ (laughing out quietly – i’m at work!)
January 16, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Surely the libunatics can spread some blame onto Reagan, the Tea Party, the Founding Fathers, Lincoln, etc..
January 16, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Well obviously we need federal regulations outlawing televisions in households with small children, obviously.
January 16, 2012 at 1:17 pm
OMG!!!
Enough is enough!!!
Install the government security camera inside every home.
Tax payers will cover this.
Sad that less than 1/2 a child per state per year can die this way.
January 16, 2012 at 1:19 pm
TV manufactures are obviously racists because this seems to effect only minority families. Where is the ACLU?
January 16, 2012 at 1:28 pm
They should make a law again anyone with TV having childern, they could get killed.
January 16, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Where were the parent(s) when this happened?
January 16, 2012 at 1:32 pm
I don’t know but I am sure this would never have happened in a good christian Republican family
January 16, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Out at the Riverboat Casino gambling away their SSI/SSD and/or welfare check. The rest of it went to provide KFC or Popeye’s chicken buckets, Colt-45 Malt Liquor and Powerball Lottery tickets.
January 16, 2012 at 2:16 pm
New rule.. if you have a child and an old tv, you are to replace it with a brand new flat panel. If you cannot afford a flat panel, one will be provided at the tax payers expense
January 16, 2012 at 1:37 pm
When my daughter was younger I stupidly put an older tv on top of an armoire. One day she decided to climb the armoire and the entire thing came over, the doors swung open as it fell creating a perfect space for her. That saved her from getting crushed by the tv and the furniture. My blood still runs cold at the thought of what my own stupidity could have caused.
January 16, 2012 at 1:41 pm
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I am waiting for someone to say these chinese made TV deathboxes tipping over are all park of some kind of a huge jewish conspiracy to kill black kids….
January 16, 2012 at 2:07 pm
You mean it’s not?!?
January 16, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Coming soon.. mandatory anti-tip brackets on all TVS. “Free” (taxpayer paid for) vouchers for retrofit kits for old TV’s. Meanwhile TV manufacturers get sued by the oh so caring trial lawyers. All for the children you know.
January 16, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Why would people in Chicago put their tvs on the window sill?
Honestly, Chicago is a perfectly dreadful city, tv’s falling onto sidewalks, bodies piling up in the morgue. Rahm seems to have brought the place down a peg – and who would have believed that to be possible….
January 16, 2012 at 2:12 pm
You put the TeeVee on the window sill so that when Tyrone or Bubba comes to steal it your window just get broken-in and they don’t take anything else. The truly advanced urban city-dweller places a sheet of plywood in the window frame on hinges so they don’t has to clean break’n glass off of da floor. Happy MLK Day Y’all!
January 16, 2012 at 2:28 pm
I can’t believe you people. A child died here and all of you are making unfeeling, smart-alec comments. You all barely have the mentality of a 4 year old yourselves.
My kids are just about grown up, and I had to tie everything down when they were little to stop them from hurting themselves. This is a tragedy, so show a little empathy, or don’t write anything at all. YOU are what is wrong with this world. A population of juvenile, brainwashed, desensitized robots. Grow up.
January 16, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Look at the upside – perhaps the taxpayers have been spared three more welfare thugs. Idiot parents breed idiot kids and all steal from taxpayers.
I bet this TV gets stolen before it’s brought to justice.
January 16, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Where was a parent?
Where is the TV Czar? Maybe Obama’s lacky Mayor buddy can create a position, or simply outlaw TVs unless they are behind bars. Yea, kinda like what they do in the Cook County lockup.
I wonder how many lawyers are chasing her parents, so they can sue the Television manufacturer.
January 16, 2012 at 2:25 pm
TV’s don’t kill people, stupid people kill people. I wonder what the criminal democrat government is going to do to protect the stupid from themselves this time?
January 16, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Man, that’s one vicious TV! Killed three kids already? Track it down and arrest it!
January 16, 2012 at 2:39 pm
1) Buy hook and chain.
2) Secure hook to wall.
3) Secure chain to hook.
4) Secure chain to TV.
Standard practice here in CA with all the earthquakes.
January 16, 2012 at 2:48 pm
I bet half of all falling tv deaths are done on purpose. I would probably investigate the families. Or at least the next one.
January 16, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Run! It’s a pandemic!
January 16, 2012 at 2:55 pm
What’s that, some sort of microphone used by panda bears?
January 16, 2012 at 4:14 pm
This smells fishy. Some of these kids are likely being murdered, as sick as that sounds.
How many other places are kids being killed by falling TVs? If you carry this number and time period out on a national level that would mean something like 1200 kids per year nationwide would be dying this way.
Is there an epidemic of falling TVs? Because for three to fall on kids, there have to be a LOT of them falling and NOT hitting kids. How many kids are suffering fractures, paralysis, and other blunt trauma SHORT of death? And how hard and heavy is a TV? Even the heaviest are maybe 30 lbs. Dropping one from 4 feet onto concrete won’t crack a coconut, but it will kill a kid or break their neck? Only if it hits them just in the right place and angle. Where are all the kids with concussions from falling TVs?
January 16, 2012 at 2:58 pm
We grew up with these tvs We did not have remotes. We did not have color tv. You want to change the channels, you got your butt out of the chair and did it yourself. Our tvs were huge consoles. They were all table top tvs. Some even had a huge glass bubble filled with water that hung in front of the tv to make the picture bigger. We were taught to respect the property of others (our parents), that if we needed something done to the tv, we asked that it be done, if we were not big enough to do it ourselves. Many of today’s children are left alone, to raise themselves, without any parental guidance. Too bad it is the children that have to pay for their parent’s stupidity..
January 16, 2012 at 2:59 pm
It happens a lot unfortunately.
http://homeinspectionfyi.com/furniture-and-tv-tip-over-hazards/
January 16, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Hah, these types of televisions were purchased during the Bush administration. It’s pretty clear he didn’t care about our children.
January 16, 2012 at 3:42 pm
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Parents?oh,that’s right.Some “ciltures” value children as a renewable commodity,to monetize,not life.
January 16, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Come on guys. Someone’s kid is dead and that person and the people who loved the kid are probably reading this. Have a little bit of class please.
January 16, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Class is something most of the bloggers on this site knows nothing about. Pete, I thought you knew that. They don’t care that a child is dead. The have no compassion or empathy.
January 17, 2012 at 6:39 am
Why would a TV be hanging outside your wndow? How could it “accidentally fall” ?
It isn’t an air conditioner.
January 16, 2012 at 4:22 pm
We need government protection from falling televisions!
Sounds like a government study and then grants to the inner city to buy flat screens that will not topple over and crush their babies.
January 16, 2012 at 4:33 pm
I demand the law of gravity be repealed!
January 16, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Yup let it be repealed and right up your ass!
January 18, 2012 at 3:01 pm
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I feel for the child & for her loved ones….May she rest in peace.
January 16, 2012 at 7:16 pm
You can tell the parents killed the kid. I smell foul play here & they should question the parents because they look guilty to me.
January 17, 2012 at 5:10 pm
And you can tell that your a f@ggot ass troll who watche too much csi
January 18, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Pingback: Parenting tips to prevent TVs and furniture from tipping over onto your child | Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Blog
YOU ALL ARE SO FULL OF HATE. YOU CAN’T EVEN EMPATHIZE WITH THE FAMILIES LOSS OF A CHILD.
January 20, 2012 at 11:41 am
“it is always one less vile devil worshiping DEMOCRAT Voter to deal with.”
Uh, they’ll still vote even if they are deceased. That’s how it works in Democrat-controlled Cook County and the City of Chicago.
January 16, 2012 at 4:12 pm