IN-Grandfather charged cruise ship death of Chloe Wiegand MEDIA TIMELINE NO DISCUSSION
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Missing piece in toddler’s tragic fall
CCTV is missing piece that will solve how baby Chloe plunged to her death
NEWS.COM.AU0:52
Toddler tragically dies after falling from cruise ship window
The family of a little girl who died after falling 46m from a window has hit out at the cruise line over her death.
Vanessa Brown
It’s every parents’ worst nightmare. A decision that ended in the most tragic way possible.
During a holiday of a lifetime, mother Kimberley Schultz Wiegand, her police officer husband Alan and their three children were on board the Royal Caribbean ‘ Freedom of the Seas ’ cruise ship. Joining them on the voyage was both sets of grandparents, including Kimberley’s father Salvatore Anello.
Beginning and ending in the harbourside town of San Juan in Puerto Rico, the Wiegand family travelled from Indiana to cruise around the Southern Caribbean islands — a journey that stopped into St Maarten, Dominica and even Barbados.
But before the ship had even left the port, the unimaginable happened. Chloe, just 18 months old, fell from an open window and plunged 45 metres on to the concrete dock below.
Toddler Chloe Wiegand fell to her death from a window on Royal Caribbean cruise ship Freedom of the Seas. Picture: Michael WinklemanSource:Supplied
‘GONE IN AN INSTANT’
Playing in the “kid’s water zone” on the 11th floor of the cruise ship with her grandfather, Mr Anello, little Chloe reportedly asked him to lift her to a “wall of windows” which lined the play area.
According to The Guardian, Mr Anello propped his granddaughter on a wooden railing that ran the length of the window wall, believing there was closed glass behind Chloe like there was in the rest of the room.
Tragically, the window behind the toddler — a “hidden hole” surrounded by closed glass — had been opened. And in a moment of horror, Chloe went through the window and plunged 11 storeys to her death.
The window where Chloe fell to her death on board the 'Freedom of the Seas' cruise shipSource:Supplied
‘WHY WAS IT OPEN?’
In the moments following the tragedy, witnesses heard a “cry of pain” and wails of agony from Mr Anello and several other family members on board the ship.
According to local media outlet El Vocero, some were so hysterical after Chloe’s death that they had to be sedated by medics.
Maritime lawyer Michael Winkleman, who is representing the Wiegand family, said Chloe fell through an open glass pane on the cruise ship, adding that her grandfather thought the window was closed “just like everywhere else” in the kids play area on the ship.
Police attend to scene on the cruise ship after the incident on Sunday, July 7, 2019. Toddler Chloe Wiegand fell to her death from a window on Royal Caribbean cruise ship Freedom of the Seas. Picture: Michael WinklemanSource:Supplied
Pinning the blame on Royal Caribbean, Mr Winkleman questioned why a single window was open in a child’s play area.
“The family needs answers as to why there would be an open window in a wall full of fixed windows in a kids’ play area? Why would you have the danger without any warning, sign, or notice?” Mr Winkleman argued.
Chloe Wiegand with her grandfather Salvatore Anello. Picture: Michael WinklemanSource:Supplied
Toddler Chloe Wiegand fell to her death from a window on Royal Caribbean cruise ship Freedom of the Seas. Picture: Michael WinklemanSource:Supplied
“Essentially her grandfather lifts her up and puts her on a railing and where he thinks that there is glass there because it’s clear, but it turns out there was no glass there.
“She goes to bang on the glass like she would have at one of those hockey rinks, and the next thing you know, she’s gone.”
Following the tragedy, questions around whether Mr Anello negligence lead to Chloe’s death were quickly diffused by the family.
Mr Winkleman hit back at the suggestion that Mr Anello was acting irresponsibly.
“There was absolutely no alcohol involved, Sam is not a drinker,” he said.
According to The Sun, if negligence charges are filed they will carry a maximum of three years behind bars.
MISSING PIECE COULD SOLVE MYSTERY
Puerto Rico Ports Authority spokesman Jose Carmona said the Wiegand family was gathered in or near a dining hall at the time of the incident, and that Mr Anello had sat Chloe on the edge of a window before she fell.
Mr Carmona said it remained unclear whether the window was already open or if someone opened it.
In an interview with news.com.au, the family’s lawyer Mr Winkleman said the answer lies in security footage which could play as a key piece to the puzzle that would answer why the window was open — and who opened it.
The toddler plunged 11 storeys on to the dock below.Source:Supplied
“Our early investigation revealed that these windows were not up to applicable safety codes designed precisely to protect children from falling out of windows,” Mr Winkleman told news.com.au.
“RCCL has not yet shared the CCTV footage with us despite repeated request. The next step (for the family) is getting the family home and having the funeral. For me, the next step is getting access to the that CCTV footage.
“If Royal will not provide in the short term then we will be forced to file the lawsuit in order to obtain the footage because we are indisputably entitled to it.”
Toddler Chloe Wiegand would often push on glass while attending her brother’s hockey games. Picture: Michael WinklemanSource:Supplied
When contacted by news.com.au, a spokesperson for RCCL said they were unable to comment on any information regarding the footage, but said they were “deeply saddened” by the “tragic incident”.
“We are assisting local authorities in San Juan, PR, as they make inquiries after an incident aboard Freedom of the Seas on Sunday.
“We do not have further information to share at this point.”
FAMILY STAND BY GRANDFATHER, BLAME CRUISE LINE
Mr Winkleman said the family are in “shambles” following the incident and desperate to get home, but are standing by Mr Anello.
They have instead pinned blame for the tragedy on The Royal Caribbean cruise line, maintaining the open glass pane should have been closed securely ...
“I think there is going to be blame and significant blame on the cruise line and I’m going to do everything I can to hold them accountable for what appears to be negligence,” Mr Winkleman said.
But Miami-based maritime lawyer Jim Walker says proving negligence won’t be an easy feat for the family.
“In order for a cruise line to be legally liable for this child’s death, the family’s lawyer must prove that the cruise line acted unreasonably and that the cruise line knew or should have known of the specific danger on its ship,” he told news.com.
...
“This will be an exceedingly difficult burden for the lawyer to meet in this very sad and tragic set of circumstances.
“Without evidence (prior incidents or proof that the cruise line knew of a dangerous condition on the cruise ship) the chances are slim that the court (if suit is filed) would permit this case to proceed to a jury trial,” he added.
CCTV is missing piece that will solve how baby Chloe plunged to her death
NEWS.COM.AU0:52
Toddler tragically dies after falling from cruise ship window
The family of a little girl who died after falling 46m from a window has hit out at the cruise line over her death.
Vanessa Brown
It’s every parents’ worst nightmare. A decision that ended in the most tragic way possible.
During a holiday of a lifetime, mother Kimberley Schultz Wiegand, her police officer husband Alan and their three children were on board the Royal Caribbean ‘ Freedom of the Seas ’ cruise ship. Joining them on the voyage was both sets of grandparents, including Kimberley’s father Salvatore Anello.
Beginning and ending in the harbourside town of San Juan in Puerto Rico, the Wiegand family travelled from Indiana to cruise around the Southern Caribbean islands — a journey that stopped into St Maarten, Dominica and even Barbados.
But before the ship had even left the port, the unimaginable happened. Chloe, just 18 months old, fell from an open window and plunged 45 metres on to the concrete dock below.
Toddler Chloe Wiegand fell to her death from a window on Royal Caribbean cruise ship Freedom of the Seas. Picture: Michael WinklemanSource:Supplied
‘GONE IN AN INSTANT’
Playing in the “kid’s water zone” on the 11th floor of the cruise ship with her grandfather, Mr Anello, little Chloe reportedly asked him to lift her to a “wall of windows” which lined the play area.
According to The Guardian, Mr Anello propped his granddaughter on a wooden railing that ran the length of the window wall, believing there was closed glass behind Chloe like there was in the rest of the room.
Tragically, the window behind the toddler — a “hidden hole” surrounded by closed glass — had been opened. And in a moment of horror, Chloe went through the window and plunged 11 storeys to her death.
The window where Chloe fell to her death on board the 'Freedom of the Seas' cruise shipSource:Supplied
‘WHY WAS IT OPEN?’
In the moments following the tragedy, witnesses heard a “cry of pain” and wails of agony from Mr Anello and several other family members on board the ship.
According to local media outlet El Vocero, some were so hysterical after Chloe’s death that they had to be sedated by medics.
Maritime lawyer Michael Winkleman, who is representing the Wiegand family, said Chloe fell through an open glass pane on the cruise ship, adding that her grandfather thought the window was closed “just like everywhere else” in the kids play area on the ship.
Police attend to scene on the cruise ship after the incident on Sunday, July 7, 2019. Toddler Chloe Wiegand fell to her death from a window on Royal Caribbean cruise ship Freedom of the Seas. Picture: Michael WinklemanSource:Supplied
Pinning the blame on Royal Caribbean, Mr Winkleman questioned why a single window was open in a child’s play area.
“The family needs answers as to why there would be an open window in a wall full of fixed windows in a kids’ play area? Why would you have the danger without any warning, sign, or notice?” Mr Winkleman argued.
Chloe Wiegand with her grandfather Salvatore Anello. Picture: Michael WinklemanSource:Supplied
Toddler Chloe Wiegand fell to her death from a window on Royal Caribbean cruise ship Freedom of the Seas. Picture: Michael WinklemanSource:Supplied
“Essentially her grandfather lifts her up and puts her on a railing and where he thinks that there is glass there because it’s clear, but it turns out there was no glass there.
“She goes to bang on the glass like she would have at one of those hockey rinks, and the next thing you know, she’s gone.”
Following the tragedy, questions around whether Mr Anello negligence lead to Chloe’s death were quickly diffused by the family.
Mr Winkleman hit back at the suggestion that Mr Anello was acting irresponsibly.
“There was absolutely no alcohol involved, Sam is not a drinker,” he said.
According to The Sun, if negligence charges are filed they will carry a maximum of three years behind bars.
MISSING PIECE COULD SOLVE MYSTERY
Puerto Rico Ports Authority spokesman Jose Carmona said the Wiegand family was gathered in or near a dining hall at the time of the incident, and that Mr Anello had sat Chloe on the edge of a window before she fell.
Mr Carmona said it remained unclear whether the window was already open or if someone opened it.
In an interview with news.com.au, the family’s lawyer Mr Winkleman said the answer lies in security footage which could play as a key piece to the puzzle that would answer why the window was open — and who opened it.
The toddler plunged 11 storeys on to the dock below.Source:Supplied
“Our early investigation revealed that these windows were not up to applicable safety codes designed precisely to protect children from falling out of windows,” Mr Winkleman told news.com.au.
“RCCL has not yet shared the CCTV footage with us despite repeated request. The next step (for the family) is getting the family home and having the funeral. For me, the next step is getting access to the that CCTV footage.
“If Royal will not provide in the short term then we will be forced to file the lawsuit in order to obtain the footage because we are indisputably entitled to it.”
Toddler Chloe Wiegand would often push on glass while attending her brother’s hockey games. Picture: Michael WinklemanSource:Supplied
When contacted by news.com.au, a spokesperson for RCCL said they were unable to comment on any information regarding the footage, but said they were “deeply saddened” by the “tragic incident”.
“We are assisting local authorities in San Juan, PR, as they make inquiries after an incident aboard Freedom of the Seas on Sunday.
“We do not have further information to share at this point.”
FAMILY STAND BY GRANDFATHER, BLAME CRUISE LINE
Mr Winkleman said the family are in “shambles” following the incident and desperate to get home, but are standing by Mr Anello.
They have instead pinned blame for the tragedy on The Royal Caribbean cruise line, maintaining the open glass pane should have been closed securely ...
“I think there is going to be blame and significant blame on the cruise line and I’m going to do everything I can to hold them accountable for what appears to be negligence,” Mr Winkleman said.
But Miami-based maritime lawyer Jim Walker says proving negligence won’t be an easy feat for the family.
“In order for a cruise line to be legally liable for this child’s death, the family’s lawyer must prove that the cruise line acted unreasonably and that the cruise line knew or should have known of the specific danger on its ship,” he told news.com.
...
“This will be an exceedingly difficult burden for the lawyer to meet in this very sad and tragic set of circumstances.
“Without evidence (prior incidents or proof that the cruise line knew of a dangerous condition on the cruise ship) the chances are slim that the court (if suit is filed) would permit this case to proceed to a jury trial,” he added.
Indiana toddler, allegedly dangled by grandfather, dies after plunging 150 feet from cruise ship: report | Fox News
"...A toddler has died after plunging 150 feet from a cruise ship while being dangled out of a window by her granddad...."
"...Elmer Román, of the local Department of Public Security, said: "Police have now launched an investigation and are trawling CCTV of the ship..."
"At this time (the Division of) Homicide is in place. It has not been possible to interview the family...."
"At one point, one of her grandparents... in an act of games, exposes the girl to the void and falls out of his hands."
"...A toddler has died after plunging 150 feet from a cruise ship while being dangled out of a window by her granddad...."
"...Elmer Román, of the local Department of Public Security, said: "Police have now launched an investigation and are trawling CCTV of the ship..."
"At this time (the Division of) Homicide is in place. It has not been possible to interview the family...."
"At one point, one of her grandparents... in an act of games, exposes the girl to the void and falls out of his hands."
The Grandfather Of The Toddler Who Fell To Her Death From A Cruise Ship Window Has Been Charged
"...On Monday, San Juan Investigations Chamber Judge Jimmy Sepúlveda determined that Anello was responsible for Chloe's death and charged the grandfather with negligent homicide, setting his bail at $80,000...."
"...In his testimony, the 50-year-old told officials that Chloe had asked him to pick her up, and he then put her on the rail by the window, expecting the glass to support her...."
"...Chloe's family had blamed Royal Caribbean for leaving a large window open in the children's area of the ship, creating a dangerous environment that enabled the girl to fall out...."
"...On Monday, San Juan Investigations Chamber Judge Jimmy Sepúlveda determined that Anello was responsible for Chloe's death and charged the grandfather with negligent homicide, setting his bail at $80,000...."
"...In his testimony, the 50-year-old told officials that Chloe had asked him to pick her up, and he then put her on the rail by the window, expecting the glass to support her...."
"...Chloe's family had blamed Royal Caribbean for leaving a large window open in the children's area of the ship, creating a dangerous environment that enabled the girl to fall out...."
Family of Dead Toddler Dropped by Grandfather Question Cruise Ship's Unsafe Play Area | toofab.com
"It's a very grave scene, very regrettable and tragic," Elmer Roman of the Puerto Rican Department of Public Security told Primera Hora.
"One of the grandfathers, whom it would appear was playing with the little girl,lifted her out of the open window and lost his grip." emph. mine
"It's a very grave scene, very regrettable and tragic," Elmer Roman of the Puerto Rican Department of Public Security told Primera Hora.
"One of the grandfathers, whom it would appear was playing with the little girl,lifted her out of the open window and lost his grip." emph. mine
Chloe Wiegand: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |
snipped BBM
Port Authority spokesman Jose Carmona told CNN that the girl was in the dining hall playing with her grandfather on deck 11 of the ship when the tragedy occurred. Carmona said one window pane to the hall was open and Wiegand’s grandfather sat the girl in the window. He lost his balance which caused Wiegand to fall. Carmona said, “Sadly, she died on impact.”
snipped BBM
Port Authority spokesman Jose Carmona told CNN that the girl was in the dining hall playing with her grandfather on deck 11 of the ship when the tragedy occurred. Carmona said one window pane to the hall was open and Wiegand’s grandfather sat the girl in the window. He lost his balance which caused Wiegand to fall. Carmona said, “Sadly, she died on impact.”
“There’s a whole wall of windows [on the ship],” Mr Winkleman told NBC.
“The grandfather thought that this window was closed. It turns out, we’ve come to learn, that ... passengers can open these windows.”
Mr Winkleman said while the other windows were closed, there was one that was open and created a “hidden hole”, which Chloe fell through.
“Unknowingly, the grandfather places Chloe on the wood railing before the wall of windows, believing Chloe will bang on the glass just like she does at her brother’s hockey games, “and the next thing he knows, she’s gone,” he explained.
“Why in the world would you leave a window open in an entire glass wall full of windows in a kid’s area?”
Cruise ship slammed over little girl’s death
“The grandfather thought that this window was closed. It turns out, we’ve come to learn, that ... passengers can open these windows.”
Mr Winkleman said while the other windows were closed, there was one that was open and created a “hidden hole”, which Chloe fell through.
“Unknowingly, the grandfather places Chloe on the wood railing before the wall of windows, believing Chloe will bang on the glass just like she does at her brother’s hockey games, “and the next thing he knows, she’s gone,” he explained.
“Why in the world would you leave a window open in an entire glass wall full of windows in a kid’s area?”
Cruise ship slammed over little girl’s death
Devastated grandfather of toddler who died falling from his arms on cruise ship arrives in Chicago | Daily Mail Online
The window on the far left is the one Chloe fell through on Sunday while being held against the railing by her grandfather. The others appear to have handles which allow them to be slid open This photograph was taken by Chloe's father after the accident
snipped -BBM
But an official from the justice department told DailyMail.com that, on the advice of his lawyer, the elderly IT worker from Valparaiso, Indiana, left the ministry later that day without giving an official statement.
Alan Weigand, a 40-year-old police officer with the South Bend Police Department, and his attorney wife Kimberly, 36, were flying back to the US on a different flight.
A hearse and a police escort were due to meet them to escort Chloe's body back to their hometown of Granger, Indiana.
The couple had met with Justice Department officials on Tuesday and similarly refused to give witness statements, claiming they were on a different part of the ship when Chloe fell and didn't see anything.
DailyMail.com can reveal they were also then given the opportunity to view a 'high quality' video of their daughter's final moments captured from an onboard camera - but were too distraught to watch.
'The family were asked to come to the Justice Department to talk about what happened but they decided not to since their lawyer had told them not to,' said Justice Department spokesman Kelvin Carrasco.
'The investigation is going to keep going. Maybe they will be asked to come again.'
The Weigands have retained criminal attorneys in San Juan who have thus far declined to speak to the media.
The window on the far left is the one Chloe fell through on Sunday while being held against the railing by her grandfather. The others appear to have handles which allow them to be slid open This photograph was taken by Chloe's father after the accident
snipped -BBM
But an official from the justice department told DailyMail.com that, on the advice of his lawyer, the elderly IT worker from Valparaiso, Indiana, left the ministry later that day without giving an official statement.
Alan Weigand, a 40-year-old police officer with the South Bend Police Department, and his attorney wife Kimberly, 36, were flying back to the US on a different flight.
A hearse and a police escort were due to meet them to escort Chloe's body back to their hometown of Granger, Indiana.
The couple had met with Justice Department officials on Tuesday and similarly refused to give witness statements, claiming they were on a different part of the ship when Chloe fell and didn't see anything.
DailyMail.com can reveal they were also then given the opportunity to view a 'high quality' video of their daughter's final moments captured from an onboard camera - but were too distraught to watch.
'The family were asked to come to the Justice Department to talk about what happened but they decided not to since their lawyer had told them not to,' said Justice Department spokesman Kelvin Carrasco.
'The investigation is going to keep going. Maybe they will be asked to come again.'
The Weigands have retained criminal attorneys in San Juan who have thus far declined to speak to the media.
Grandfather charged in death of granddaughter who fell from cruise ship
Wiegand's mother Kimberly previously told NBC's "Today" that "I never want another mother to have to experience this or to see what I had to see or to scream how I had to scream."
"I didn't know that she went out a window," she added. "And I just kept saying, 'Take me to my baby. Where's my baby?' I didn't even notice a window. I ran over there and I looked over and it wasn't water down there, it was concrete. To lose our baby this way is just unfathomable."
Wiegand's mother Kimberly previously told NBC's "Today" that "I never want another mother to have to experience this or to see what I had to see or to scream how I had to scream."
"I didn't know that she went out a window," she added. "And I just kept saying, 'Take me to my baby. Where's my baby?' I didn't even notice a window. I ran over there and I looked over and it wasn't water down there, it was concrete. To lose our baby this way is just unfathomable."
@Kindred
This is a news report about a woman who fell from a Carnival cruise (only 7 decks as opposed to Chloe's 11) and survived to tell of her experience. It shows the exterior footage of the fall (not the landing, just her falling) and also goes on to show some of the technology. It's from 2014 so I would hope that they have upgraded but it still gives a pretty good idea of just how many cameras and angles they probably have of the incident
Oct 31, 2019Report
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This is a news report about a woman who fell from a Carnival cruise (only 7 decks as opposed to Chloe's 11) and survived to tell of her experience. It shows the exterior footage of the fall (not the landing, just her falling) and also goes on to show some of the technology. It's from 2014 so I would hope that they have upgraded but it still gives a pretty good idea of just how many cameras and angles they probably have of the incident
Oct 31, 2019Report
Like
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wa...ng-stories-cruise-ship-window/?outputType=amp
Family of toddler who fell 150ft to her death from cruise ship blame the liner because one window was left OPEN in a wall of glass when the girl's grandfather propped her up against it - as it's revealed he AND her parents had to be sedated
Family of toddler who fell to her death on Caribbean cruise ship says she fell out of open window | Daily Mail Online
Prosecutors have also asked for security footage from the ship and are speaking to witnesses
Family of toddler who fell 150ft to her death from cruise ship blame the liner because one window was left OPEN in a wall of glass when the girl's grandfather propped her up against it - as it's revealed he AND her parents had to be sedated
Family of toddler who fell to her death on Caribbean cruise ship says she fell out of open window | Daily Mail Online
Prosecutors have also asked for security footage from the ship and are speaking to witnesses
However, EL VOCERO said that prosecutor Ivette Nieves along with the agents of Child Abuse and Homicide of the Criminal Investigation Corps (CIC) of San Juan yesterday reviewed the recordings of the cruise security cameras, where police sources said he sees the maternal grandfather rocking her until [she] falls from his arms and dies..."
"Police sources insist that the maternal grandfather had the girl in his arms and that [she] appears sticking out of it through the window, from which [she] fell. Prosecutor Ivette Nieves, given the refusal of Chloe's relatives to testify, could use the tapes in the eventual filing of negligence charges under the child protection law against Anello, a crime that has a maximum penalty of three years in jail."
Vídeo será determinante en investigación sobre muerte de niña en crucero
Reiteran que investigan "múltiples ángulos" por muerte de niña en crucero
"Police sources insist that the maternal grandfather had the girl in his arms and that [she] appears sticking out of it through the window, from which [she] fell. Prosecutor Ivette Nieves, given the refusal of Chloe's relatives to testify, could use the tapes in the eventual filing of negligence charges under the child protection law against Anello, a crime that has a maximum penalty of three years in jail."
Vídeo será determinante en investigación sobre muerte de niña en crucero
Reiteran que investigan "múltiples ángulos" por muerte de niña en crucero
A judge in Puerto Rico ordered the arrest of Salvatore Anello on Monday after prosecutors submitted evidencesaying that Chloe Wiegand fell from Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas cruise ship when Anello raised her to an open window on the docked ship. bbm
Grandfather of Indiana toddler who fell from cruise ship and died charged with negligent homicide
Grandfather of Indiana toddler who fell from cruise ship and died charged with negligent homicide
Grandfather Of Toddler Who Died In Fatal Fall From Cruise Ship Charged With Manslaughter | KBUR
Oct 30, 2019
Chloe’s parents, Alan and Kimberly Wiegand, said they didn’t understand why there would be an open window so high up on the ship and that the cruise line created “a tremendous safety hazard that cost our child her life.”
Oct 30, 2019
Chloe’s parents, Alan and Kimberly Wiegand, said they didn’t understand why there would be an open window so high up on the ship and that the cruise line created “a tremendous safety hazard that cost our child her life.”
Local family demanding answers after grandfather charged in cruise ship death of toddler
Oct 29, 2019
The preliminary hearing is set for November 20. Chloe's family requested surveillance footage of the incident from the cruise line and still has not received it.
Oct 29, 2019
The preliminary hearing is set for November 20. Chloe's family requested surveillance footage of the incident from the cruise line and still has not received it.