The grandfather of an 18-month-old girl who fell to her death from a cruise ship in Puerto Rico has pleaded guilty to negligent homicide. Salvatore 'Sam' Anello, 51, from Indiana, admitted the charge on Thursday after initially pleading not guilty last October.
Chloe Wiegand died in July 2019 after falling 150 feet from an open window on the 11th deck of the Royal Caribbean ship Freedom of the Seas, docked in San Juan. Anello had been holding the girl up to the window when she slipped from his grasp.
Prosecutor Laura Hernández said Anello will be sentenced on December 10, stating: 'We have found justice for Chloe.' The plea deal involves no jail time, and Anello's attorney said the family hopes to close 'this horrible chapter' and focus on mourning Chloe and campaigning for cruise passenger safety.
Anello has maintained he did not know the window was open, saying he lifted Chloe to knock on the glass as she did at hockey games. He also cited colourblindness as a possible factor. The girl's parents have sued Royal Caribbean, alleging negligence, and believe the company is ultimately responsible.
Royal Caribbean has tried to have the case dismissed, arguing that Anello 'unquestionably' knew the window was open, citing video footage. The company denies breaching safety standards, saying basic senses would have alerted him to the danger.
