(Update: June 16) Local authorities have recovered the body of the missing two year old, according to range County Sheriff Jerry Demings. Police located the body at approximately 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. They confirmed the boy’s death with the Tweet below.
Deepest condolences to the Graves family. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/nXaRrgjLhl
— OCSO FL News (@OrangeCoSheriff) June 16, 2016
Authorities are currently searching for a toddler that was dragged into a lagoon by an alligator at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Tuesday night in Orlando, Florida.
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A search and rescue mission is currently underway to recover the 2 year-old boy that was dragged into the Seven Seas Lagoon around 9:30 P.M Tuesday night. The search and rescue mission started last night, but so far, authorities have been unsuccessful.
“We are very hopeful. We are hoping for the best,” Jeff Williamson, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff”s Office said Wednesday morning.
According to the family of the toddler, the boy was standing in a foot of water at the edge of the lagoon and was dragged in. Orange County Sheriff, Jerry Demings said in a statement, “The father at some point struggled to try to get his son and was not successful.” The father tried to pry the child from the alligator but was unsuccessful due to the powerful jaw strength of the animal.
The family called for the lifeguard after the attack. Officials say the alligator was between four and seven feet long.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Orange County Sheriffs office have been conducting a search for the missing toddler. Helicopters, dive teams, boats and sonar have been used in the search and rescue mission but to no avail.
Responders at Disney World searching for boy who was dragged into a lagoon by an alligator. https://t.co/suskABi6UPhttps://t.co/AfEdaZei5G
— Josh Berlinger (@j_berlingerCNN) June 15, 2016
“The sad reality of it is it’s been several hours, and we’re not likely going to recover a live body,” Demings said.
There are no signs that say alligators are in the lagoon, but there are signs that say not to swim in it.
“Everyone here at the Walt Disney World Resort is devastated by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family,” said Jacquee Wahler, a vice president at the Walt Disney World Resort. “We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement.”
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