The parents of an eight-year-old boy who died after a tree branch fell on him at a Calabasas park are moving forward with legal action, alleging the tragedy could have been prevented. The fatal incident occurred in July at King Gillette Ranch, where children were waiting to be picked up from summer camp.
Lamar Matthew McGlothurn was among the group of campers gathered beneath an oak tree when a large branch suddenly broke and fell. His family has now filed a claim against the owners and operators of King Gillette Ranch, arguing they failed to address a known hazard. The claim states they were negligent for “allowing a dangerous condition of public property to exist at the campsite despite explicit and repeated warnings about the tree’s hazardous condition” before Lamar’s death.
Court documents detail that camp staff had instructed McGlothurn and the other children to wait directly under the oak tree, even though it had shown visible signs of deterioration. Weeks earlier, the tree had been flagged for risk, and concerns escalated just days before the incident when another large branch snapped from the same tree.
The landscaping company responsible for evaluating the tree is also named in the claim. According to the documents, the company recommended thinning the canopy to “mitigate the risk.” The family argues this was not enough and that stronger action should have been taken to ensure the safety of the children who spent time under the tree each day.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene after the branch fell, with multiple people injured. In addition to Lamar’s fatal injuries, two other children and several adults were hurt when the heavy branch came down without warning, as per ABC7.
The McGlothurn family says they are pursuing the claim to demand accountability and to prevent similar tragedies in the future. They believe the tree should have been removed or the area cordoned off once warnings were issued, especially in a location where children regularly gathered.
King Gillette Ranch, a popular educational and recreational site, is jointly operated by several organizations. The claim alleges all involved parties share responsibility for failing to maintain safe conditions.
As the legal process moves forward, the family continues to ask for answers about why action was not taken sooner and how an avoidable hazard resulted in the loss of their child. A full investigation into the incident and the decisions that preceded it is expected as the case develops.
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