The unthinkable happened to Matt and Melissa Graves on June 14th, and now they have to return home to Nebraska without their son.
The parents, who attempted to rescue their two-year-old, Lane Graves from the mouth of an alligator, gave their first statement today.
“Words cannot describe the shock and grief our family is experiencing over the loss of our son,” the couple said, according to ABC News.
“We are devastated and ask for privacy during this extremely difficult time. To all of the local authorities and staff who worked tirelessly these past 24 hours, we express our deepest gratitude.”
At 9:16 on Wednesday night, the Graves were on the beach of the Grand Floridian Hotel in Walt Disney World for a movie night. Graves waded into the man-made lake, even though “No Swimming” signs were posted.
Then, an alligator came from the lake and snatched the little boy, dragging him into water.
Tireless search-and-rescue efforts from first responders, law enforcement and Disney employees eventually found the body of the boy at around 1:45 on Tuesday afternoon. Save for a few puncture wounds, authorities confirmed, his body was in tact.
What’s even more disturbing is that the body was located about ten to fifteen feet from where he was taken, under six feet of water.
Fellow resort guest Jennifer Venditti Roye posted photos of her own son, who waded in the water at the exact same location on the beach an hour earlier, to Facebook.
Venditti Roye did this to hit back at the online trolls who have been tormeting Graves’ parents for ignoring the “No Swimming” signs.
“There is a time to be critical when parents are doing drugs and their children get hurt,” Venditti Roye told People Magazine.
“But this is just not the time. It’s heartbreaking.”
The mom to three-year-old Channing said the accident hit way too close to home for her.
“It could have been [my son],” she admitted. “We had been there every night. What a tragedy.”
“Not at all did that cross my mind that there would be alligators in that area,” she said.
“There were tons of families just roasting marshmallows. The Grand Floridian had provided the activity for kids, right there on the beach,” Venditti Roye explained.
“And the water was just ankle deep. Where that beach is – it’s a small cove, so central, with the resort area built around it. There’s a pool nearby. It’s well-lit. Well-traveled. Not off the beaten path where you think anything would be lurking.
“I never would have dreamed in a million years that there would have been an alligator there.”
The Facebook post has been shared over 150,000 times.
“I can’t help but wonder if we played with him,” she wrote.
“Did I talk to his Mom? How does one go home without your baby in tow? PRAY, PRAY so hard for the family & for those who witnessed this tragic event.”
