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The death of little Chloé Wiegand († 1) shook the whole world in the summer of 2019. Her grandfather Salvatore Anello dropped her from a height of 45 meters from a cruise ship in the port of the Puerto Rican capital, San Juan. Now Anello has received a three-year suspended sentence for wrongful death.
After the drama, the girl’s family had accused the operator of the cruise ship “Freedom of The Seas”. The Royal Caribbean Cruises shipping company did not comply with the necessary safety precautions. Grandpa believed he was holding the boy against a closed glass window, so the discussion continues. Still, Anello pleaded guilty last October following a settlement with prosecutors.
“No crime committed”
Anello can serve probation at his home in Michigan. After Monday’s verdict, he said, according to CNN, that he had accepted a guilty plea so that he and his family could fully focus on the civil lawsuit against the shipping company. He “did not commit any crime.”
“After this trial, I feel a mixture of anger and relief,” Anello continues. She always thought that the row of windows opposite Chloé was a “wall of glass.” There was no indication that any of these windows could be opened.
In court, Anello said that he wanted to lift Chloé so she could walk against the window. But the little boy hit the void and slipped out of his hands.
The civil trial is due to start in April.
Michael Winkleman, legal counsel for Chloé’s family, said in a statement: “Responsible companies take simple steps to protect children’s lives. Royal Carribean did nothing to protect Chloé from this danger. “
The cruise line takes the position that it was simply a tragic accident. The civil lawsuit against the shipping company is expected to begin on April 26. (noo)
