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Royal Caribbean says video shows grandfather 'unquestionably' knew window was open before dropping toddler

As per court documents, Salvatore Anello is seen in surveillance footage leaning his upper body out of the window before picking up Chloe. Royal Caribbean is holding the video as proof that Anello knew the window was open before the incident.
UPDATED JAN 18, 2020
Chloe Wiegand (Fundly)
Chloe Wiegand (Fundly)

Royal Caribbean has now claimed that little Chloe Wiegand's step-grandfather knew the window was open before he picked her up and lost his grip. 

The 18-month-old toddler tragically fell to her death in the July incident, before her family brought a lawsuit against the cruise line for negligence, Fox59 reports.

As per court documents, Salvatore Anello is seen in surveillance footage leaning his upper body out of the window before picking up Chloe. Royal Caribbean is holding the video as proof that Anello knew the window was open before the incident.

“This is not a case of an unknowing child approaching an open window and falling out because the window was defective or improperly positioned," court documents stated. Rather, this is a case about an adult man, Chloe’s step-grandfather who, as surveillance footage unquestionably confirms: (1) walked up to a window he was aware was open; (2) leaned his upper body out the window for several seconds; (3) reached down and picked up Chloe; and (4) then held her by and out of the open window for thirty-four seconds before he lost his grip and dropped Chloe out of the window.”

Royal Caribbean, who shared images from the video in the lawsuit, said there were two closed-circuit television cameras that captured the events before Chloe's tragic fall. Anello is reportedly seen in snapshots wearing a dark short-sleeve shirt and a white hat while following Chloe towards the open window on Deck 11.

Chloe is on the floor when her step-grandfather arrives at the open window, per the footage, before he leans his upper torso over the wooden railing and out of the window for about eight seconds. Anello then proceeds to pick Chloe up, lifting her over the wooden rail and facing the open window. He holds Chloe for approximately 34 seconds before losing his grip over her.

According to Royal Caribbean, the "only reasonable conclusion from the video" is that Anello knew the window was open before picking his step-granddaughter up and holding her out the open window for a "considerable period," thereby "recklessly endangering her life."

Anello, in his defense, has said he's colorblind. However, the cruise line said it doesn't matter as video proof shows he knew the window was open. While Anello is charged with negligent homicide in Puerto Rico, the Wiegands' attorney Michael Winkleman has issued the following statement on their behalf:

"The Wiegands are in the process of responding to Royal Caribbean’s Motion to Dismiss. In short, Royal Caribbean’s Motion to Dismiss is baseless and deceptive. 
It is clear that Royal Caribbean’s tactic is to blame Chloe’s grandfather rather than to accept that Royal Caribbean did not implement industry standards for toddler safety aboard its ships which ultimately led to Chloe’s tragic death.  Royal Caribbean has premised its defense in this case and its blame on Chloe’s grandfather by supplying two deceptive views from its CCTV cameras to the court and the Puerto Rico authorities. 

"However, the Plaintiffs were first permitted a vessel inspection of the scene of the incident on January 10 – less than a week after Royal Caribbean first informed the Wiegands that they are making modifications to the ship that will destroy the subject area where the incident occurred.  That inspection has revealed that Royal Caribbean’s Motion to Dismiss neglects to tell the Court and, presumably, the authorities that there were no less than THIRTEEN CCTV video cameras in the area of the incident. 

"The Wiegands will ask the Court to compel Royal Caribbean to produce all the video from those nearby cameras. Further, the Wiegands’ response to Royal Caribbean’s Motion to Dismiss will definitively show what the Wiegands have said since day one: that Chloe’s grandfather never knew there was an open window and never knowingly put Chloe in harms way.  Had Royal Caribbean simply abided by industry standards designed to protect toddlers, this tragedy would not have occurred." 

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