FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The mother of a 5-year-old girl who fell overboard from a Disney cruise ship earlier this year will not face any charges.
The incident happened in June as the Disney Dream was returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from a four-night sailing to The Bahamas.
Cruise ship guests took to social media to post about the dramatic rescue as it unfolded, saying the ship was cruising between The Bahamas and Florida when the child fell from Deck 4 and her father jumped in immediately to rescue her.
According to a newly-released police report, the girl had climbed on a porthole railing for a photo when she fell backward into the ocean.
Her father jumped in and treaded water for about 20 minutes while waiting to be rescued.
The mother, who was initially facing charges, told detectives she thought the porthole had a glass barrier.
According to new court documents, while prosecutors said her actions were “arguably negligent,” it wasn’t enough to move ahead with the case.