The two-year-old boy that was snatched away by an alligator at Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is now presumed dead. “The situation is now a recovery effort,” said Orange County Sheriff Jerry Deming.
Deming commented that too much time has passed since the boy went missing for him to have survived as it has been 15 hours since the tragic accident. He also stated that the authorities will “continue to search until we find the body.”
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The accident that occurred on Tuesday was reported as the toddler was standing near a lagoon on the Disney resort when a gator attacked and pull the boy under water. The boy’s father tried to save him, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
In the 45 years of Disney’s operation in Orlando, Florida there have been no such incidents of this type. The sheriff mentioned that in the area of the accident there are “no swimming” signs but it is unclear whether the signs indicate the presence of alligators.
Disney is now doing their best to comfort the family. They released the statement after the child was taken on Tuesday: “Everyone here at Disney World is devastated by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family. We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement.”
While the boy is presumed dead, authorities still remain hopeful the body will be found in order to bring closure to the toddler’s family.
