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Grandfather to plead guilty in toddler's cruise ship death

Salvatore Anello
Chloe Wiegand
Posted at 8:51 AM, Feb 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-27 08:02:44-05

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana man who was holding his granddaughter before she fell from a cruise ship window and plunged to her death in Puerto Rico has agreed to a plea deal. Salvatore Anello says he wants to "help end part of this nightmare."

RELATED: Family of toddler who fell to her death from cruise ship sues Royal Caribbean

Attorney Michael Winkleman says Anello filed documents Monday in a Puerto Rico court to change his plea to guilty to a charge of negligent homicide in the death of 18-month-old Chloe Wiegand last July.

He says Anello won't serve time behind bars.

Royal Caribbean Cruises has said Anello was leaning out of an 11th-floor window before he picked up the toddler and she slipped from his grip.