Marina
In November 2023, 5-year-old Grayson O’Connor tragically fell from the 17th floor of the Grand Boulevard Lofts in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
His mother, Corrinne O’Connor, was charged with first-degree child endangerment resulting in death. Her trial is scheduled to begin on June 23, 2025, in Jackson County.
Incident Details
On the day of the incident, police found Corrinne O’Connor inside her apartment, lying in front of an open window. When asked about her son’s whereabouts, she reportedly stated, “went out the window.”
Investigators noted that the window was fully open and that safety stops, which should have prevented it from opening completely, had been removed.
A passerby discovered Grayson’s body in the alley below and alerted authorities. Court documents indicate that O’Connor did not call 911 following the incident.
Legal Proceedings
Corrinne O’Connor was indicted by a grand jury in January 2024 on one count of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
The indictment alleges that she knowingly acted in a manner that created a substantial risk to her son’s life by failing to supervise him in an apartment with an open window, leading to his death.
Her trial is set to commence on June 23, 2025, in Jackson County. If convicted, O’Connor could face a significant prison sentence under Missouri law.
Background and Prior Concerns
Between 2017 and 2023, Missouri’s Department of Social Services (DSS) received multiple reports concerning Grayson’s welfare.
These reports included allegations of unsanitary living conditions, lack of supervision, and instances where O’Connor appeared to be under the influence of substances. Despite these concerns, DSS did not remove Grayson from his mother’s custody.
In November 2023, just weeks before Grayson’s death, DSS closed the case, citing O’Connor’s failure to engage with offered services.
This decision has since been scrutinized, with critics arguing that more proactive measures could have prevented the tragedy.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2017–2023 | Multiple DSS reports filed regarding Grayson’s welfare |
| November 9, 2023 | DSS closes case due to lack of engagement from O’Connor |
| November 27, 2023 | Grayson falls from 17th-floor apartment window; pronounced dead |
| January 2024 | O’Connor indicted on child endangerment charges |
| June 23, 2025 | Trial scheduled to begin in Jackson County |
The upcoming trial of Corrinne O’Connor brings to light significant concerns about child welfare oversight and the responsibilities of social services.
As the legal proceedings unfold, they are expected to prompt discussions on policy reforms and the measures necessary to protect vulnerable children in similar situations.