A grandfather who dropped his 18-month-old granddaughter from the window of a cruise ship has been spared jail.
After pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in October 2020, Salvatore Anello has been sentenced to three years probation.
The case first made headlines in July 2019 after Chloe Wiegand plunged 45 metres to her death after her grandfather placed her onto a ledge aboard the Freedom of the Seas Royal Caribeean Cruise Ship.
Anello alleged that he held the toddler up to a window on the 11th floor believing it was closed, but the pane of glass was actually pulled open.
‘I saw her fall, I saw her fall the whole way down. I just remember screaming that I thought there was glass,’ he told CBS.
When asked about the legal proceedings during his first interview following Chloe’s death, Anello said: ‘Chloe being gone is the worst thing that ever, so I’m like whatever. There’s nothing worse they can do to me.’
He will be able to serve out his probation in his home in Indiana.
Chloe’s parents, Alan and Kimberly have remained supportive of Anello during legal proceedings and have launched their own legal claim against Royal Caribbean for negligence.
On February 3, a court ruled that the company can be sued for unlimited damages.
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