JACKSON, Minn. — A southern Minnesota community is in mourning, supporting a family after their 1-year-old son fell to his death from a hotel window.
Madden Hein was with his family visiting Sioux Falls, South Dakota, according to family members.
Sioux Falls police said it was Saturday morning when they received a call about a 1-year-old boy falling out of a third-floor hotel window in what appeared to be a tragic accident.
“It was exactly that, it was an accident,” said Amy Schuett, a family friend of more than 20 years.
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Madden Hein’s parents, Kathryn and Alex Hein, are both coaches and teachers in the Jackson County School District in southern Minnesota.
The district canceled classes Wednesday.
They say Madden will survive thanks to organ donation. A walk of honor in Madden’s honor was held at a Sioux Falls hospital.
“Staff were lined up in the hallways of the hospital and family was there with Madden, accompanying him to the surgery to donate his organs. It was an incredible experience, but at the same time heartbreaking,” Schuett said . “It was probably the hardest thing I’ll ever do in my life. It was so inspiring at the same time to know that Madden is going to help all these little kids.”
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On Facebook, Madden’s mother wrote that her son had earned his angel wings. The Jackson community has been very supportive, Schuett said.
“They come together with meals, donations and anything else they might need,” she said.
For a family that needs everything they can after losing their real superhero.
“Pray for Kathryn and Alex and their families, they really need our support right now,” Schuett said.
A celebration of Madden’s life service will be held this Saturday at the Jackson County Central High School gymnasium.
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