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Tragedy on the High Seas: Grandfather Pleads Guilty in Cruise Ship Toddler Death Case

In a heart-wrenching development, the grandfather who pleaded guilty in the death of his 18-month-old granddaughter aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 2019 was sentenced to three years of probation. The toddler, Chloe Wiegand, fell to her death from an open window on the ship's 11th deck.

The plea deal, which was accepted by the court, came after the grandfather, Salvatore Anello, admitted to negligence in failing to properly supervise his granddaughter. According to court documents, Anello had been holding Chloe in his arms near the window when she slipped from his grasp and fell overboard into the ocean. The incident occurred while the ship was docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The tragedy sparked outrage and legal action against Royal Caribbean Cruises, with the family of the victim alleging negligence on behalf of the cruise line. However, the company has maintained that it was not responsible for the accident, citing the presence of warning signs and the responsibility of parents to supervise their children.