Los Angeles County, CA – An 8-year-old California boy was killed in front of his parents when a large branch from a decaying oak tree snapped and fell on him during pickup time at a summer camp. His family has filed a lawsuit alleging the camp and park operators ignored multiple warnings about the dangerous condition of the tree.
An initial review of the legal complaint and statements from the family’s attorneys, outlines a series of warnings, internal concerns, and missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy.
Warnings About the Tree Before the Incident
Court documents state that the staff at Camp Wildcraft, located at King Gillette Ranch in Los Angeles County, had been aware that branches were dropping from the oak tree in the days leading up to the boy’s death. According to the lawsuit, employees “knew branches were dangerously dropping” yet still instructed children to gather and rest beneath the tree.
One of the attorneys wrote in the complaint that:
“That is exactly what Lamar was doing when he was tragically killed by the falling branch.”
The family alleges that despite visible decay and prior incidents involving the same tree, children continued to take part in activities directly under the canopy.
Prior Branch Fall and Staff Concerns
The tree had already caused concerns earlier in the month. Court filings note that a large branch snapped on July 2, just seven days before the fatal incident. Internal emails from the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA), which operates the ranch, described the earlier falling limb as “massive” and potentially deadly.
A division chief wrote:
“Thank god that no one was seriously hurt or killed… I would not have been able to sleep at night knowing that branch was just waiting to fall.”
According to the lawsuit, the camp and MRCA staff were urged to assess the tree’s health, but no action was taken before the day of the tragedy.
Text Messages From Landscapers Raised Red Flags
The family’s attorneys included additional evidence from a local landscaping company hired to evaluate the tree. On July 3, the landscaper allegedly texted camp staff and warned:
“It is somewhat concerning seeing all the decay at the trunk.”
The landscaper recommended thinning the canopy and reducing weight on the branches. The complaint asserts that camp staff received these messages but did not follow through before children were placed under the same tree days later.
The Fatal Moment Witnessed by Parents
On July 9, the boy, identified as Lamar McGlothurn, was under the tree during the afternoon pickup when the fatal branch “snapped off the tree,” according to the complaint. The lawsuit states that Lamar’s parents were present and saw the branch fall directly on their son.
Attorneys for the family say:
“His parents… tragically witnessed the death of their son.”
Post-incident inspections by the family’s experts revealed internal decay, structural defects, and signs of long-term deterioration. According to their report, the tree showed clear indicators of compromised structural integrity that should have prompted removal or immediate intervention.
Legal Action Against Camp and Park Operators
The lawsuit accuses both Camp Wildcraft and the MRCA of negligence, claiming they failed to act on:
- Documented warnings about the tree’s decay
- A prior branch fall just a week earlier
- Safety recommendations from professional contractors
The complaint maintains that the conditions “would have been observable prior to the failure event” and could have prevented the tragedy had appropriate action been taken.
Camp and MRCA Response
Camp Wildcraft, described on its website as an “art and nature day camp,” did not respond to requests for comment. The MRCA, however, issued a statement, noting:
“From day one, the MRCA has been committed to a full, thorough, and transparent inquiry… to ensure that a tragedy like this never occurs again.”
The agency added that its investigation remains open and that it continues to cooperate with all parties.
Ongoing Investigation and Family’s Pursuit of Accountability
The case now moves into formal legal proceedings, with the family seeking accountability for what they argue was an avoidable death caused by repeated negligence.
The lawsuit highlights failures across multiple days, multiple warnings, and multiple decision-makers — pointing to what the family describes as a preventable disaster.
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