Video of the Moments Before Indiana Toddler’s Fatal Cruise Ship Fall May Hold Clues to Grandfather’s Culpability

In July, 18-month-old Chloe Wiegan fell to her death from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship window. Her grandfather was the last person to have contact with her. The Wiegand family says that he accidentally picked her up to a window he thought was closed. Puerto Rican authorities recently announced that they would prosecute Chloe’s grandfather for negligent homicide. Now, a video of the moments leading up to Chloe’s death may hold clues for the trial of Chloe’s grandfather, Salvatore Anello.

CBSNews.com reports that the video, which has not been released to the public, is a key piece of evidence. CBS News correspondent David Begnaud reports that the video appears to show Anello accompany Chloe to a bank of windows, pick her up, and hold over over a railing. The Wiegand’s attorney says that this was so that the pair could get a better look. The pair was over 100 feet up at the time. Within seconds, Chloe had fallen to her death. 

As the tragedy occurred while the ship was at port in Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican officials are handling the case. Anello was in court earlier this week, and CBS News reports that he is expected back in court on December 17.