This is just so sad,,and makes me ask WHY would someone do this?? I don't call it 'playing'??

[QueenIsabella]

I can understand the immediate family not wanting to view the video. It would be unimaginably horrifying for anyone, let alone the child's parents. What would make sense to me would be if someone close to the family could view it on their behalf--someone that they could trust to be an impartial judge of the video. NOT the lawyer--he would be looking at it through the eyes of someone who filed a lawsuit against the cruise line. Maybe an aunt or cousin with a strong stomach.

If this goes to trial, civil or criminal, I'm sure the judge and jury will see the videos. It would be nice if the family was aware of what was on them, prior to that. Well, "nice" might not be the right word, but it could help them mentally prepare for their airing.

 

[gwynne]

I can understand the immediate family not wanting to view the video. It would be unimaginably horrifying for anyone, let alone the child's parents. What would make sense to me would be if someone close to the family could view it on their behalf--someone that they could trust to be an impartial judge of the video. NOT the lawyer--he would be looking at it through the eyes of someone who filed a lawsuit against the cruise line. Maybe an aunt or cousin with a strong stomach.

If this goes to trial, civil or criminal, I'm sure the judge and jury will see the videos. It would be nice if the family was aware of what was on them, prior to that. Well, "nice" might not be the right word, but it could help them mentally prepare for their airing.

The family in question likely had more options than others in finding someone to view the video. She is an experienced attorney, surely she knows and trusts a few attorneys. One or two of them could have reviewed the tape (evidence). Same with the police dept for the husband. I realize that time has now passed.

If this goes to trial, the defense attorney will be able to review the tape during discovery.

JMO, finding out the truth of what is on that tape much, much later will be harder than finding out earlier.

 

[AppleDumpling]

As a parent, I could not bear to see the video. But yes, that video is evidence that will be scrutinized to corroborate the grandfather’s testimony. It’s in their best interest to know exactly what happened.

And it is just me, but was anyone else shocked to hear the grandfather was only 51? Idk, I just assumed he was much older.

Yes, IMO he looks older. I’m a few years older than that and certainly don’t think of myself as “elderly”, which is how he’s been described. Maybe it’s a mistake/typo and he’s 61? Who knows? Not that it really matters. It just saddens me every time I see that sweet little girl’s smiling face in photos.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, I think he's in his early 60s. Not old or elderly.

 

[mjkacmom]

You could be right, but again, it's hard to believe they jumped into the whole media circus without all the facts that were available. Or that the lawyer allowed it. The existence of the tape was known.

And as much sympathy as I have for the grieving parents, I don't think for a minute their position was trying to preemptively defend the GF against charges. It vibes way, way more as a cash-grab from the cruiseline.

Really?! I can’t even fathom looking for a windfall right after my toddler died in a horrific manner, I can’t imagine being able to think, to breathe, to function. I think a slimy attorney took advantage of a very bad/sad situation.

 

[mnrose]

Whether he's 61 or 51, neither is "old." I'm 61, and not "old." Heck, I just came back from a European vacation where I walked more than 100 miles in 11 days. "Old" people don't do that. Maybe at one point in our history, 61 was considered "old" but not anymore.

This whole thing is unbelievably sad and tragic, but I believe the parents have made it worse. I don't think for one second that the grandfather intended the result. But, I think he was extremely careless. He SHOULD be prosecuted.

I also agree that if I were the parents, I would have wanted someone I trusted to watch that tape. I'd NEED to know what actually happened, even though I doubt I could watch it myself. I have plenty of people in my life I'd trust to do it for me, though, and report back. I think if they'd done that, they'd have some clarity on whether it was smart to pursue legal action.

 

[ronandannette]

Really?! I can’t even fathom looking for a windfall right after my toddler died in a horrific manner, I can’t imagine being able to think, to breathe, to function. I think a slimy attorney took advantage of a very bad/sad situation.

I think we all suspect what unfolded in the immediate aftermath was likely propelled by the lawyer. I completely agree the parents would not have been in their right minds and the lack of restraint in their public reaction was exploited by the media. I still can’t get over how it got so far without any of them having verified what was on the tape.

 

[QueenIsabella]

The family in question likely had more options than others in finding someone to view the video. She is an experienced attorney, surely she knows and trusts a few attorneys. One or two of them could have reviewed the tape (evidence). Same with the police dept for the husband. I realize that time has now passed.

If this goes to trial, the defense attorney will be able to review the tape during discovery.

JMO, finding out the truth of what is on that tape much, much later will be harder than finding out earlier.

I hadn't even been thinking about that when I posted. You're right--they must have several trusted friends who could view the tape objectively and tell them, "It looks like Grandpa lost his balance" or "he wasn't paying attention" or whatever. While I understand that they will grieve forever, I think there comes a point where not knowing the details will start to eat them up, as much as the "what ifs" will. The whole situation is heartbreaking--no amount of money or jail time or whatever is going to set things right.

 

[sam_gordon]

Whether he's 61 or 51, neither is "old." I'm 61, and not "old." Heck, I just came back from a European vacation where I walked more than 100 miles in 11 days. "Old" people don't do that. Maybe at one point in our history, 61 was considered "old" but not anymore.

"Old" is relative. Ask an eight year old, and 51 is "old". Heck, 41 would probably be considered "old" to them. Obviously someone around that age wouldn't consider themselves old.

I also agree that if I were the parents, I would have wanted someone I trusted to watch that tape. I'd NEED to know what actually happened, even though I doubt I could watch it myself. I have plenty of people in my life I'd trust to do it for me, though, and report back. I think if they'd done that, they'd have some clarity on whether it was smart to pursue legal action.

Totally agree! I think the lawyer did a disservice to the family by not looking at the tape before filing suit. I know the family surely wasn't in their right mind after the incident, but of all people, I would expect them (a former attorney and someone in law enforcement) to hit the brakes and not even talk to a lawyer immediately after, much less give their ok for a lawsuit.

 

[bdcp]

The family's lawyer accomplished what he wanted which was to get the story out there that it was 1) in a child's play area and 2) that it's all RCI's fault, neither which is really true. I watched "The Talk" yesterday and all the hosts were quoting the lawyer and family and none of them have a clue about the ship or where it happened. Sharon Osbourne even said since it was in a kids play area, that RCI was at fault. I'm going, seriously? None of you have any clue what you're talking about, you're just quoting the lawyer and the family. I think the trial will surprise all these people who believed every word out of the family and their lawyer's mouths. But, the reality is, the lawyer's goal is to affect public opinion to the point that RCI will cave. He wants his $$$.

 

[bdcp]

Yes, I think he's in his early 60s. Not old or elderly.

News yesterday were saying 51, but regardless if he's 51 or 61, he is not elderly. I'm 59 and DH is 62, and neither of us is "old". His age is irrelevant.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

Come on, Grandpa. Time to admit your responsibility and plea bargain down to a suspended sentence.

 

[kaytieeldr]

News yesterday were saying 51, but regardless if he's 51 or 61, he is not elderly. I'm 59 and DH is 62, and neither of us is "old". His age is irrelevant.

Exactly. Especially since he seems to be step-grand/father, he could be 31, or 21, or any age. His actual age is a complete non-issue.

 

[DLgal]

I hadn't even been thinking about that when I posted. You're right--they must have several trusted friends who could view the tape objectively and tell them, "It looks like Grandpa lost his balance" or "he wasn't paying attention" or whatever. While I understand that they will grieve forever, I think there comes a point where not knowing the details will start to eat them up, as much as the "what ifs" will. The whole situation is heartbreaking--no amount of money or jail time or whatever is going to set things right.

Exactly. This is the kind of stuff that haunts people whose loved ones simply disappear and are never found. It is torture, I am sure. This is why they never stop trying to find out what happened and cannot be at peace until they find out.

 

[DLgal]

Exactly. Especially since he seems to be step-grand/father, he could be 31, or 21, or any age. His actual age is a complete non-issue.

Well, except when people try to use it as an excuse/justification for why he may have:

a) not realized that the glass was missing from the window (poor eyesight/dementia)
b) "lost his balance" due to age issues
c) may have otherwise had an impaired sense of where he was/what the potential danger was

 

[AppleDumpling]

Well, except when people try to use it as an excuse/justification for why he may have:

a) not realized that the glass was missing from the window (poor eyesight/dementia)
b) "lost his balance" due to age issues
c) may have otherwise had an impaired sense of where he was/what the potential danger was

I agree, except if any of those were known issues, he really should never have been left alone with a child that young.

 

[kirstenb1]

When I saw a quick photo of the grandfather, I would have guessed late 60s. He looks really old for 51. I'm 53, and I do see a lot of differences in how people age/appear. Regardless, still very tragic.

 

[Dznypal]

I just re read the first post about GF dangled the poor little girl out the window--although I doubt that anyone could be that reckless to dangle someone out an open window--even if it was only a few inches from the ground

yet he said he thought the window was closed--well if it was closed then he wouldn't have been able to hang her out the window--so senseless--the poor little girl

 

[sam_gordon]

I just re read the first post about GF dangled the poor little girl out the window--although I doubt that anyone could be that reckless to dangle someone out an open window--even if it was only a few inches from the ground

yet he said he thought the window was closed--well if it was closed then he wouldn't have been able to hang her out the window--so senseless--the poor little girl

It hasn't been confirmed that he actually dangled her out of the window.

My *GUESS* is he stood her on the rail for "better" view of outside. Whether she got squirmy/wiggled or he got distracted or slipped and he lost his grip on her, she fell out the window and he reached out to grab her (maybe almost doing so). That led people (who didn't see him actually let go) to think he was "dangling" her.

Again, this is just my guess as to what happened, but I think it fits the narrative... he moved her close to the window (presumably to "bang on the glass"), someone saw her being dangled, and she fell out.

 

[ZZBane]

I’ve read through as much as I can on this thread and I haven’t seen the answer.... I thought the parents, or at least one of them, was right there when it happened? If I was the mother and I was right there, I wouldn’t have even let the grandfather get to the point of putting my toddler on a railing like that. Perhaps I’m wrong and it was just the grandfather and the baby and the rest of the family was somewhere else