Grandfather charged in toddler’s fatal cruise ship fall appears in court


(ABC)--The grandfather charged with negligent homicide in the July death of his granddaughter on a cruise ship appeared in a San Juan courtroom on November 20.

Salvatore Anello appeared in person at the proceedings that lasted about ten minutes.

The prosecution stated they have witnesses from both on and off the island that they will call to testify and they are expecting to present new discovery evidence to the defense later in the day on Wednesday.

The judge agreed to postpone proceedings until the evidence is shared with the defense.

In an interview with ABC News, prosecutor Laura Hernandez said she was confident in her case and would not have pursued the charge if it was not supported by evidence.

Hernandez denied that Royal Caribbean had any influence in the decision to bring the charge.

Anello’s defense attorney, Jose Ortiz, declined to make a statement.

The next court date is set for December 16 at 9 a.m.

Anello is charged in relation to the July death of his granddaughter, 2-year-old Chloe Wiegand, aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that was docked in Puerto Rico.

Police say that Anello dropped his granddaughter from an open 11th floor window on the cruise ship.

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