BYRON, Ga. (WGXA) — Last Friday, Byron Police Chief Wesley Cannon told WGXA that a 14-year-old boy’s condition “didn’t look good” after falling through the roof of a business in Byron. Today, Chief Cannon confirms the teen is now in stable condition.

“Every update I’ve been getting has come from his youth pastor or someone from his church youth program,” said Chief Cannon. “I’m happy to hear there are little improvements every day.”

The incident happened Friday morning at Unified Defense, a metal fabrication company located on South Georgia Highway 49. Officers responded just before 8:00 a.m.

According to Chief Cannon, the company had hired subcontractors to repair the roof on one of its buildings. He believes the 14-year-old was with a family member working for one of those subcontractors when he fell through the roof.

Cannon says the teen was seriously injured but breathing when first responders arrived. While the teen’s condition has improved, investigators are still working to determine exactly how the accident happened.

“There’s a reason why — and that’s what’s got to be determined by OSHA and others investigating the safety side of this,” Cannon said. “What was done? What wasn’t done? Should something have been done differently?”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 14- and 15-year-olds are allowed to work in Georgia, but there are strict federal limits:

No more than 3 hours on a school day

No more than 8 hours on a non-school day

No more than 18 hours during a school week

No more than 40 hours during a non-school week

They also cannot work before 7 a.m., after 9 p.m., or during school hours.

“Sometimes, I’ve seen everyone do everything by the book — and accidents still happen,” Cannon added. Chief Cannon says the Byron Police Department is working with the Peach County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether there were any criminal, safety, or protocol violations.

“We just continue to pray for this young man’s healing, and that’s what I’d like the community to do,” said Cannon. “There are a lot of prayers going his way — and we want to keep it that way.”

A representative for United Defense provided WGXA with the following statement: “United Defense is aware of an incident at its Byron facility involving a roofing contractor. Our thoughts are with the individual injured and their family. Reviews are underway, and we are cooperating with the appropriate authorities. Out of respect for privacy and the ongoing process, we are not sharing further details at this time.”