Photo of boy playing in the water hours before alligator attack

Jennifer Venditti was visiting the Grand Floridian Resort at the same time as Lane Graves, the 2 year old boy who was attacked by an alligator Tuesday night. As a matter of fact she took a picture of her son Channing playing in the same spot in the lake between 8 and 8:30pm.  This is just an hour or so before 2 year old Lane was pulled in the water by the alligator. She wondering if maybe she had interacted with the family just before the tragedy took place.

Venditti said there were helicopters flying around until early Wednesday morning, but she doubts anyone would have slept knowing they were searching for a missing child.

While a lot of people are blaming the parents for allowing their child to be in the water at dark, Venditti said alligators were not even on her mind as her child played by the water, she went on to say:

“I can’t conceive that an alligator would be in such a busy, small space”

The beaches have been closed while signs are being installed to better warn families of the dangers of wildlife in Florida.

Early this week Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of Disney contacted the Graves family:

“As a parent and a grandparent, my heart goes out to the Graves family during this time of devastating loss. My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I know everyone at Disney joins me in offering our deepest sympathies.”

The Graves also released a statement this week:

“Melissa and I continue to deal with the loss of our beloved boy, Lane, and are overwhelmed with the support and love we have received from family and friends in our community as well as from around the country. We understand the public’s interest, but as we move forward this weekend, we ask for and appreciate the privacy we need to lay our son to rest. Neither Melissa, myself or anyone from our family will be speaking publicly; we simply cannot at this time.”

— Matt and Melissa Graves

Please remember don’t feed the wildlife no matter what size they are, and stay away from the water, a newly installed fence is only going to do so much.

Photo credit: Jennifer Venditti Facebook

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