The toddler who fell to her death from the11th floorof aRoyal Caribbean cruise shiphas been identified as18-month-oldChloe WiegandofIndiana, US.
Chloe had been travelling with her parents, bothsets of grandparentsand two siblings on a week-long trip through the Caribbean when she fell from theFreedom of the Seasvessel on Sunday,Associated Pressreports.
WATCH the news report about the tragic incident here:
She is said to have slipped from the arms of hermaternal grandfather,Salvatore AnelloofValparaiso,Indiana, who was playing with her on the ledge of the open window while the ship was moored in thePan Americandock inSan Juan,Puerto Rico.
Passengers said they heard a deepcry of painfrom the child's mother,Kimberly Schultz Wiegand.
"We heard thescreams of the familiesbecause we were close," a witness toldSan Juan'sTelemundoPR.
"Ascream of pain, of that nature. It does not compare to any other scream."
Thechild's fatherhas been named as South BendPolice Officer Alan Wiegand.
Chloe Wiegand was just 18-months-old when she fell from the 11th floor of the Freedom of the Seas ship
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South Bend Police Department offered sincere sympathy to the family in a statement on Monday.
"The South Bend Police Departmentoffers itssincerest condolencestoOfficer Alan Wiegandand his family during thisdifficult time, following thetragic loss of their childwhile inPuerto Rico.
"The department asks the community to pray for theWiegandfamily as they grieve and to respect their privacy."
Freedom of the Seasowner Royal Caribbean also issued a statement after thetragic incident, saying they were "deeply saddened" by the news.
"Our hearts go out to the family," Owen Torres, Royal Caribbean's communications manager, said.
"Out of respect for their privacy, we do not plan to comment further on the incident."
Puerto Rico policeare investigating the accident to find out whether the window was always left open or if it had been opened by a passenger.
Theentire Wiegand familywill remain inPuerto Ricofor the investigation.
Alice MurphyAlice Murphy is a freelance journalist and self-professed news addict. Originally from Ireland, Alice is on a mission to visit every country in the world (telling stories along the way). She is most commonly found eating sushi, drinking strong coffee and reading horoscopes.