Jul 1, 2008 6:14 pm US/Central
Code Violations In Building Where Boy Was Crushed
Gate At Cabrini-Green Building Crushed 3-Year-Old Curtis Cooper To Death
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Curtis Cooper, 3, was killed on June 27, 2008, when a heavy iron gate collapsed and fell on him as he was riding his tricycle.
CBS
City building inspectors on Monday found code violations at the Chicago Housing Authority property in the 900 block of North Cambridge, in Cabrini-Green, where a heavy gate broke free of its hinges and fatally crushed 3-year-old Curtis Cooper on Friday.
The boy's family filed a lawsuit Tuesday, and CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports the Chicago Housing Authority is investigating the cause of the accident.
Kenneth Cunningham is an investigator with the CHA. He's gathering evidence to try and determine what caused an iron gate to fall on top of Curtis Cooper and crush him to death.
"Wear and tear for one...we can definitely say wear and tear," Cunningham said. "How old the gate is, that's a question mark. How many times repaired, that's a question mark."
At 939 N. Cambridge, where Curtis was killed, city iron inspectors found code violations, but there were no immediate safety concerns. City Hall sources said inspectors found "fresh cuts" in the iron -- evidence that someone made repairs over the weekend.
Urban Property Advisors manages the Cabrini Green development. The company refused an on-camera interview but they've insisted the gate was routinely inspected.
The company is owned by Cullen Davis, whose father, Allison Davis, is one of Mayor Daley's top allies in the black community. Last year, the firm was found liable for building code violations at another property and fined $2,500.
"They weren't doing anything," said the victim's aunt Lisa Springfield. "They keep saying they check, but they don't check."
"If they were checking that fence on the regular it would have been secure enough to hold that child," said a CHA resident who identified herself as "Betty."
"We'll take a look at what the engineer report determines and decide on the next step," said Bill McCaffrey, Buildings Department spokesman. "We'll write up violations, do our own inspections or maybe take up other action."
Tuesday, the spot where the toddler fell still attracts friends to write messages, but the backyard was practically empty. In fact, all the backyards, where the iron gates are located, have few if any children. Instead youngster played in the front yards.
"The kids can't play back here because it's not safe," said resident Calvin Royal.
"I keep her by my side. I don't let her loose," said resident Tasha Brewer.
Parents say they'll keep their children by their sides until they're sure all the gates are secure.
CHA investigators say they will be looking at all the iron fencing in the complex, a process that will take about 10 days.
The building at 939 N. Cambridge, a rowhouse, is not the type of building that requires annual city inspections. Also, there were no complaints prior to Curtis' death that required inspections, McCaffrey said.
CHA spokesperson Derek Hill declined comment.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker and the STNG Wire contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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