Health Update For 5-Year-Old Boy Thrown From Mall Of America Balcony Released

The family of a 5-year-old boy thrown from the third-floor balcony of Mall of America in Minneapolis by Emmanuel Aranda earlier this month is sharing an update on his condition. Miraculously, the child has no brain damage.

Though he remains in the Intensive Care Unit, a pastor from the family's church, Mac Hammond, told KARE 11 that the injuries are as if the young boy "fell off a bicycle instead of off the third floor of the mall." He added that after a five-hour MRI was conducted "zero evidence of brain damage" was found and "there wasn't even swelling in the brain."

In a statement released by the family's attorney, the family said the boy is being sedated.

"We have an important week ahead, with more milestones to accomplish. God's hand is working. Your prayers are working. Our son remains in intensive care, under sedation and under close monitoring, as we stay patient to allow him to heal," the statement read.

Aranda, 24, has been charged with first-degree premeditated attempted murder after being accused of throwing the boy, identified as Landen, off of the mall balcony, causing him to plunge 40 feet to the floor after the boy's mother asked him if she and her son were in his way. She has never seen Aranda prior to the incident.

“She was screaming 'Everyone pray, everyone pray. Oh my God, my baby, someone threw him over the edge,'” witness Brian Johnson told CBS-affiliate WCCO.

Once Aranda was arrested, he told police he had gone to the mall a day earlier to kill an adult, after being rejected by women for years. However, his plan did not “work out,” according to the complaint, and he chose the boy instead.