Toddler's body recovered from lake after gator attack
The body of the 2-year-old boy who was dragged by an alligator into Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World has been recovered.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said the child's body was located Wednesday afternoon. Positive identification by the medical examiner's office was pending.
"We have no reason to believe the body recovered is not that of Lane Graves," Demings said.
According to Demings, it appears the child died after being dragged by the alligator into the water, where he drowned because his body was intact.
Around 24 hours ago, it was movie night at the resort.
The toddler and his family were relaxing on what may have seemed to be a normal, sandy beach. Hours later, the body of the toddler was found feet from the shoreline.
WESH 2 News asked Disney if signs should have been posted, warning guests about alligators.
WESH 2 News spotted a sign at a small pond on Disney property. It warns: Do not feed or go near the alligators, along with a picture of an alligator and a snake.
It's a warning that apparently is not posted where 2-year-old Lane Graves was snatched away from his father by an alligator at a much larger lake near Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.
When asked if the signage was sufficient to warn visitors about the alligators, Demings said, "There's signage in the area that says no swimming."
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Disney removes gators routinely.
"We definitely will work with everyone involved to try to determine if there's something we can learn, if we can do something better," said FWC director Nick Wiley.
Bite marks on the 2-year-old are now being examined to see if they match up to one of the five gators the FWC captured during the 17-hour search.
"The family was distraught but somewhat relieved that we were able to find their son with his body intact so that they can come to grips with what has happened," the sheriff said.
The Graves family was visiting Florida from Elkhorn, Nebraska.
Authorities said the child and his father were wading in about one foot of water outside Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa when the alligator attacked around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Demings said the father, who suffered scratches on his hands, tried to grab the child from the gator but was unsuccessful.
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Authorities said 50 people, including two marine units, were involved in the overnight search and about the same number of people continued the search Wednesday.
Florida Fish and Wildlife units also assisted and had alligator trappers on the water with deputies. As of 12 p.m., five alligators had been retrieved from the lake, euthanized and examined for possible involvement in the attack. So far, no evidence has been found that any of the five were involved.
But Wiley said it's very likely they already have the gator.
READ: Gator attack not first tragedy for Disney World
Wiley said it's very rare for people to be attacked by alligators.
Witnesses, as well as Florida Fish & Wildlife officials, reported that the alligator could have been up to 7 feet long.
There are "No Swimming" signs at the lagoon.
"My understanding is that he was not swimming," said sheriff’s office spokesperson Jeff Williamson.
"There are no words to convey the profound sorrow we feel for the family and their unimaginable loss. We are devastated and heartbroken by this tragic accident and are doing what we can to help the family during this difficult time. On behalf of everyone at Disney, we offer our deepest sympathies," Walt Disney World President George A. Kalogridis said in a statement.
Demings said Disney is doing everything it can to make the family comfortable during this ordeal.
All resort beaches at Walt Disney World were closed Wednesday, WESH 2 News has learned. It's unclear when they will reopen.