A tragic incident unfolded in South Dakota when a one-year-old boy from Minnesota fell from a third-floor hotel room window and later died from his injuries. The toddler, Madden Hein, was staying at the Club House Hotel & Suites in Sioux Falls with his parents, Kathryn and Alex Hein, when the accident occurred. The parents shared the heartbreaking news of their son’s passing on Tuesday, two days after the fall.
The Hein family expressed their grief in a Facebook post, stating that their “sweet baby boy Madden gained his angel wings late on April 15th.” They admitted to struggling with the sudden loss, but also revealed that Madden’s organs would be donated, potentially saving the lives of others. They referred to their son as a “real-life superhero” for this selfless act.
The Sioux Falls Police Department is currently investigating the incident. However, Officer Sam Clemens, a spokesman for the department, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that there is no evidence to suggest anything other than a tragic accident.
In a show of support, approximately 250 people gathered outside Sanford Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, where Madden was scheduled to undergo organ donation surgery. The community’s outpouring of love and support was a testament to the impact Madden’s short life had on those around him.
Madden’s parents, both educators, are well-known in their community. Alex Hein is a middle school social studies teacher and a high school basketball coach, while Kathryn Hein teaches kindergarten and assists with coaching volleyball. The couple also has a three-year-old daughter and is expecting another child in August.
In response to the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was set up to support the Hein family. As of Thursday, the campaign had raised over $69,000, demonstrating the community’s willingness to rally around the family during this difficult time.