Grandfather of 1-year-old who fell to her death from Royal Caribbean cruise ship to plead guilty

The grandfather of a toddler who died after falling from an 11th-floor window of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in Puerto Rico last year will plead guilty in her death.

Salvatore “Sam” Anello initially pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide in the death of his 18-month-old granddaughter, Chloe Wiegand. But the family’s attorney, Michael Winkleman, told the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, that Anello filed documents to change his plea to guilty in return for no jail time. 

“I took a plea deal today to try to help end part of this nightmare for my family, if possible,” Anello said in a statement provided by Winkleman. “The support they continue to give me has been beyond overwhelming and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for them.”

On Monday, Anello declined his right to a jury trial and will instead face a judge. He will serve probation in Indiana, Winkleman added. 

The Star has reached out to officials from Royal Caribbean and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice for comment. 

Chloe died July 2019 as she vacationed with her family aboard the Freedom of the Seas of Royal Caribbean Cruises. Anello has said he did not know the window was open when he lifted Chloe to it so she could bang on the glass like she did during her brother’s hockey games.

Winkleman let a Star reporter and editor review Royal Caribbean surveillance footage that showed the toddler’s fall.

The video shows the toddler following her grandfather toward the big windows. Anello is seen leaning over an interior railing in front of the windows.

The video shows Anello lifting Chloe onto the railing. In an instant, she’s gone.

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