Decision On Charges Made After Girl Fell 50 Feet From Disney Cruise Ship

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Although a mother was negligent in allowing her 5-year-old daughter to climb onto a cruise ship railing that led to the girl falling nearly 50 feet into the ocean, prosecutors have decided no criminal charges will be filed, media reports say.

The incident happened on June 29 on the Disney Dream cruise ship, WFLA reported, citing Broward County authorities.

Documents released this week show the young girl was posing for photos with her mom before the plunge, WFLA reported. The girl reportedly climbed onto a porthole before she sat on a railing and faced her mother.

The mother reportedly thought the girl had fallen onto a glass barrier before realizing her daughter was in the water. She then immediately sought out help, WOFL reported, citing a July 31 memo.

WFLA reported the girl's father jumped 50 feet into the ocean to save her, triggering the ship's man-overboard sensors. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued both father and daughter.

After the ship docked, they were reportedly taken to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale. The girl was not injured, but her father suffered two spinal fractures, WFLA reported.

Assistant State Attorney Melissa Kelly declined to charge the mother in the incident.

“The defendant believed that there was some sort of protective barrier between the railing and the water. She was innocently capturing a photograph of her daughter when the incident occurred. This was an isolated incident, and all evidence shows that it was merely accidental," Kelly said, per media reports. "The defendant was supervising the victim, and while her conduct of allowing her child to sit on the railing was negligent, it does not rise to a standard of culpable negligence or utter disregard for the safety of her child.”

The Disney Dream is the sister ship to the Disney Fantasy, both members of the Disney Cruise Line. They each hold 1,250 staterooms.