Disney World has erected a statue honoring the toddler who was killed by an alligator near a resort hotel last year.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the lighthouse statue is a symbol of the Lane Thomas Foundation, which the Graves family started to commemorate their son’s life. The gold and blue statue features a plaque that reads, “Presented to the Lane Thomas Foundation. A beacon of hope. A light of love.” It is placed near where the tragedy happened on June 14, 2016.
Plans to put up a statue were announced in June, one year after 2-year-old Lane Graves was snatched and killed by an alligator while his family was vacationing at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
In a statement, the Graves family said, “We find comfort that so many people continue to remember our sweet boy, Lane, and we believe the lighthouse stands as a beacon of hope and support for families in the depths of despair. We will continue to honor Lane and preserve his spirit through the Lane Thomas Foundation.”
Since the attack, Disney World has added alligator warning signs and has put up a fence along the edge of the lagoon.
Disney Gator Tragedy: What We Know So Far (Photos)
Here are seven updates since an alligator snatched a two-year-old boy, Lane Graves, at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort late Tuesday.
The attack occurred at 9:21 PM ET on Tuesday night. The child was with his parents, Matt and Melissa Graves, who had traveled from Nebraska to vacation at the resort.
At a press conference midday Wednesday, County Sheriff Jerry Demings said "there's no question" the child was dead, and that officials were attempting to find the body.
The body was recovered intact a few hours later near the child's original location. Nick Wiley, executive director of Florida Fish and Wildlife, said officials would “make certain that we have the alligator that was involved and remove it from the lake.”
In response to the attack, Disney closed all the beaches on its resorts. “Everyone here at the Walt Disney World Resort is devastated by this tragic accident,” Disney said in a statement. “We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement.”
“As a parent and a grandparent, my heart goes out to the Graves family during this time of devastating loss, said Disney CEO Bob Iger in a statement Wednesday. "My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I know everyone at Disney joins me in offering our deepest sympathies."
A legal expert told TheWrap that Disney could face a "multimillion dollar" lawsuit in the wake of this attack. Attorney Joseph Balice says that the family could sue for wrongful death and possibly negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Wednesday evening, officials released this photo of the victim, two-year-old Lane Graves.
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The investigation continues into the tragic death of a two-year-old boy at Disney World
Here are seven updates since an alligator snatched a two-year-old boy, Lane Graves, at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort late Tuesday.
