Toddler who died in fall from cruise ship was South Bend Police officer's child

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The child who died after a fall from the Freedom of the Seas cruise ship was the child of a South Bend Police Department officer.

South Bend Police released the following statement:

The South Bend Police Department offers its sincerest condolences to Officer Alan Wiegand and his family during this difficult time following the tragic loss of their child while in Puerto Rico. The department asks the community to pray for the entire Wiegand family as they grieve and to respect their privacy.

The grandfather of the 18-month-old was playing with her grandfather on the 11th deck of the 15 story cruise ship when she fell.

The family is staying in Puerto Rico until the investigation is complete, according to the AP.

Royal Caribbean released this statement:

We are deeply saddened by yesterday’s tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the family. We’ve made our Care Team available to assist the family with any resources they need.

Local police are still investigating, but the preliminary investigation has ruled it an accident.