3-year-old girl dies after falling from 9th-floor balcony on South Side, officials say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A toddler is dead after falling from a balcony Tuesday on Chicago's South Side, officials said.

The Chicago Fire Department said the incident happened in the 500 block of East 33rd Place. The child, a 3-year-old girl, fell from a balcony at the Lake Meadows Apartments building in Bronzeville, Chicago police said.

The girl was rushed to Comer Children's Hospital in critical condition where she later died.

The Cook County Medical Examiner identified her as Rufda Sahle and confirmed she lived in the building.

"I looked out, and I saw them bring the little girl from the side of the building. Blood over her face and eyes were open, so I kind of was thinking maybe she was either in shock or gone," said Carolyn Newsome, who also lives in the building. "Mom, she was very upset. They couldn't control her. She was very upset."

"I cannot describe it. It was so sad," said resident Mahilseh Kadjika.

"It's a tragedy, you know. It's sad for a young girl, and I hate that it happened," said building resident Curtis Job.

It is not yet clear how the child fell from the balcony and whether they were accompanied by an adult at the time.

Not all of the building's units have balconies; they appear to be features only of the south-facing corner units.

A death investigation by CPD is ongoing. A substantial police presence remains at the scene and a portion of the grass on the south side of the building has been cordoned off.

We saw the father of the child earlier this evening spoke briefly with a relative, but the family was too distraught to give a statement. ABC7 Chicago has also reached out to building management for comment but have not yet heard back.