UPDATE: According to CNN, the body of the two-year-old has been recovered.
The child was snatched by an alligator at a hotel in Disney World, Florida this morning.
According to reports from The Guardian, the boy was taken in the Seven Seas Lagoon at approximately 9.20 last night.
A search co-ordinated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife, the Reedy Creek Fire Rescue and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, has not yet found the toddler.
A search was co-ordinated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife, the Reedy Creek Fire Rescue and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Jerry Demings said that the boy had been playing near the water’s edge when he was snatched by the alligator. The boy was reportedly under supervision at the time.
Just talked to Jeff Williamson with the Sheriff’s Office, said he doesn’t know if toddler has been found yet. Media to get update soon
— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) June 15, 2016
“There is a sandy beach area and the family was out simply relaxing… and in the water along the lake’s edge at the time the alligator attacked the child.”
“The father entered the water and tried to grab the child and was not successful in doing so. At some point I am told the mother may also have entered the water.”
“The parents diligently tried to get the child,” said the Sheriff.
LIVE on #Periscope: Main updates in search for 2-yo dragged into water by gator near Disney https://t.co/lzLxVuxqKN
— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) June 15, 2016
The boys father reported the alligator to be between 4-7ft long.
A spokeswoman for Walt Disney gave a short statement at the press conference to say that Walt Disney World Resort was “devastated by this tragic accident”.
“Our thoughts are with the family, and we are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement.”
#BREAKING: 2-yr-old dragged into water by alligator near #Disney resort. Sheriff’s office searching for the toddler pic.twitter.com/lcLxV8SLfa
— Ilse M. Gonzalez (@IlseMonette) June 15, 2016
