A toddler was dragged into a lake at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa by an alligator after dark on June 14. Orlando officials scoured the lagoon and recovered the boy's body June 15. (The Washington Post)
The family of a 2-year-old boy who died after being pulled into a lake by an alligator on a Disney World property announced Wednesday they won’t sue the company.
“We will solely be focused on the future health of our family and will not be pursuing a lawsuit against Disney,” Matt and Melissa Graves said in a statement released Wednesday morning.
On June 14, the Graves, who are from suburban Omaha, were relaxing on the white-sand beach that stretches along Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
They were watching their young son, Lane, wade ankle-deep into the lake known by vacationers as Seven Seas Lagoon when the alligator snatched Lane and dragged him deeper into the water, officials said.
Matt Graves rushed into the water and grabbed desperately for his son, cutting his hand in an unsuccessful attempt to wrestle the boy from the alligator.
Authorities from Disney World, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission deployed more than 50 officers in helicopters and boats to the lake in a desperate search for the missing toddler.
They found his body a day later. Authorities believe Lane drowned. His body was found intact, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings told reporters.
In a statement to The Washington Post, George A. Kalogridis, president of the Walt Disney World Resort said: “In the wake of this tragic accident we continue to provide ongoing support for the family, which includes honoring their request for privacy.”
The Florida resort did not have signage warning of alligators in the water at the time, though there were signs warning people not to swim in the lagoon.
Three days after the attack, Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler said “we are installing signage and temporary barriers at our resort beach locations and are working on permanent, long-term solutions at our beaches,” adding that the company will “continue to evaluate processes and procedures for our entire property.”
Trappers removed five alligators from the lake, which covers nearly 200 acres and borders the Magic Kingdom theme park. Investigators will compare bite marks to help identify whether any of the captured alligators attacked the boy, said Nick Wiley, executive director of the fish and wildlife group.
Authorities released audio of a 911 call placed after a 2-year-old boy was attacked and subsequently killed by an alligator on June 15 at Walt Disney World in Orlando. (Reuters)
Read more:
Legal experts: Did Disney do enough to warn its guests about alligators?
We saved the alligators from extinction — then moved into their territory
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