Gator grabs 2 year old at Grand Floridian?

[poison ivy]

Someone asked about that at that the last news conference. Apparently it was never reported. Maybe we should blame this family if we're throwing blame around.

it was reported. scroll down in the article.
"We decided to call it a night given that it was unsafe," he said. "The Canadians caught a security man on a golf cart and told him about the incident. Then we left for our villa."

I love Disney. but they have to own this one. They are responsible for not insuring guest safety.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I have been completely unproductive the last 25 minutes waiting for this 4pm press conference to start. I don't know why I am so anxious to learn about something that is so terribly heartbreaking and tragic.

 

[Delgado]

My hearts breaks for this family. How absolutely horrifying.

My family was at the Poly in April (daughters aged 4 & 3) and we stayed at the pool area. However, I did not read the No Swimming signs as don't even think about putting your toes in/wading because the waters are occupied by alligators. I DID put my feet in the water up to my ankles, during the day. And I assumed the no swimming signs were to address the brain eating bacteria. There were several kids at the waters edge/shore building on several occasions. I do think the signs should reference dangerous wildlife. I wouldn't have stuck my feet in the water if I had known there were gators in the lake. Honestly, I don't know why it didn't cross my mind when my husband played golf across the street and sent me a picture of alligators on the course.

It didnt cross your mind because you were on vacation on someone elses property. You would assume they would let you know if you shouldnt do something. Cms are not shy. You had every right to not think about it. You paid thousands to be in a place that caters to families. You had a reasonable expectation of staying safe. You were notified about height requirements for rides, lifeguards on duty, and security measures for your benefit. You were not in the wrong for making that assumption.

 

[CMNJ]

Cnn Twitter is reporting the body has been found

 

[dlavender]

I think people want or maybe even need to believe it would have made a difference. Makes it easier to handle if you are able to blame something or someone, you know?

I think the opposite. I think people need to believe nothing could have been done. That this was "random" and a 1 in a million incident.

 

[rteetz]

Here we go

 

[rteetz]

Update:

The OCS has met with the family.

1:45PM dive team located what is believed to be the remains of the deceased two year old.
3:45 remains were recovered. The remains were sent to the medical examiner.

Body was found intact.

 

[Irish_Mike]

Body of the two year old has has been recovered - police say the body was intact. Orange County ME will conduct an autopsy.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

But the problem is - it may very well have. And now, a boy is dead, and we'll never have a chance to know.

It's possible...

But I can't get over the lack of judgement here. You don't have to be a Florida wildlife expert to stay out of the water at night.

And of course...the fact that expectations are too high because of the label. A 2 year old being bored at an outdoor movie at 9 pm? Gee...just like home, right?

Now I'm placing blame to defend a simple reasonable reality here...and I don't want to.

At worst...this was a no fault mishap. But we can't have no fault anymore, can we? So the wheel spins.

 

[rteetz]

Florida Wildlife Commision

They are going to keep searching for alligators in the lake. They are working to see if one of the gators already captured is the alligator that attacked. If not the search will continue for that alligator.

 

[2009CAN]

I don't know if it's because I've been reading this thread all day, but the more I think about this, Disney SHOULD have had the dangerous alligator (also amoeba) signs up, NOT just no swimming.
While they are updating signs, which I'm sure they will, they should also add something to the garden spaces that say, "don't walk through the gardens. Florida is home to poisonous snakes" as a sign of good faith.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Update:

The OCS has met with the family.

1:45PM dive team located what is believed to be the remains of the deceased two year old.
3:45 remains were recovered. The remains were sent to the medical examiner.

Body was found intact.

Thank God they found him, i know this is not the outcome anyone wanted, but at least the parents can have closure.

My God this family, someone made a comment earlier that this family would be going home with an empty car seat, that hit me like a hammer for some reason, I nearly lost it at my desk. I feel so bad for this family.

Hug your kids a little tighter tonight.

 

[morninglemon]

My local ABC affiliate just tweeted this:

Police say body of 2-year-old boy dragged away by alligator was under water and fully intact

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm just relieved for the family that they found the boy, and he was intact. At least they can have some sort of closure.

 

[rteetz]

There is a good chance one of the gators caught is the alligator that attacked.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Body of the two year old has has been recovered - police say the body was intact. Orange County ME will conduct an autopsy.

That's a heatbreaking final twist.

He drown...in a situation he was not old enough to survive.

And the animal was not a ravenous monster like in an 70's disaster movie...

It attacked because a instinct tripped...and another instinct - fear - caused it to leave the boy and retreat to where its internal mechanisms could calm down.

Just awful...now Disney should really investigate elimination human contact with the waterways...it's probably time.

 

[Delgado]

You won't see them blame the parents. At least not in front of the media. Behind closed doors there will be some finger pointing.

Again, I had to settle a death case of an 11 year due to a go-cart accident. There was legal liability on my insured's part (security road that was not properly secured, poorly lit at the area of the accident, and was considered an attractive nuisance), but a great deal of the liability fell on the family as well - which I cannot divulge. Not something we'd go out and shout from the roof tops, but it was discussed openly at the mediation, and that the facts behind that negligence would come out in a trial, which was not something the family wanted anyone to hear.

In the end, there is no good resolution. A child is gone. Nothing Disney can do, regardless of fault, will bring them back.

I would a billion percent hate to be involved in that mediation and look at those parents and tell them they were negligent. I know people get paid to do that, but that they makes me die inside. Thanks for your input, these cases are meticulous with detail... Just read the body was recovered.

 

[mshanson3121]

They're doing an excellent job of sidestepping questions.

 

[Delgado]

Exactly. I think there might be a couple more attention pieces like this to make it look like Disney has an alligator problem or something. There just isn't evidence that gators are all over property and lunging at people.

Wow. Fluff piece. Cool.

 

[rteetz]

Sheriffs dept. won't comment on signage at beaches.