An investigation has shed new light on the terrifying man overboard incident that took place aboard Disney Dream on 29th June 2025, when a five-year-old girl fell 50 feet from Deck 4 into the ocean – prompting her father to leap in after her.
The incident occurred during a four-night Bahamas sailing, and while both the child and her father were safely rescued within an hour, questions have lingered about how such a tragic fall could have happened.
A newly released police report from Florida’s Broward County Sheriff’s Office has now clarified the circumstances surrounding the fall – and dismissed several of the early theories circulating online.
What Really Happened on Deck 4
According to the investigation, the girl’s mother had asked her daughter to pose for a photo in front of an open porthole, unaware that it was not sealed with glass or plexiglass.
There are different porthole windows on the ship. Here’s one that I sat at with my daughter, that does have the glass:
Whereas the other portholes that do not have glass look like this:
But there is a crucial sign on the railings next to that window, which clearly the mother missed or chose to ignore:
“[The mother] assumed the porthole had a window or plexiglass, and she thought that [her daughter] would be caught by the glass, but instead, she kept falling,” the report explained.
Surveillance footage corroborated both parents’ statements, showing the mother leading her daughter to the porthole moments before the fall.
The father reacted instantly, alerting others to try to get help before jumping overboard to save his child.
The report confirmed that the mother continued to raise the alarm onboard, so that the crew were alerted and could begin a rescue.
Disney crew members quickly launched a man overboard response, and both were retrieved from the water within the hour.
No Criminal Charges Filed
The report confirms that while the mother’s decision was “negligent and irresponsible,” prosecutors determined it did not meet the threshold for criminal culpable negligence.
Detective Christopher Favitta, who examined the scene in person, wrote:
“Upon looking at the window myself, as a prudent person, I immediately saw that the window was open to the air and did not have a covering. This act, facilitated by [the mother], placed the child in a life-threatening situation.”
However, Assistant State Attorney Melissa Kelly concluded:
“While the defendant’s conduct is arguably negligent and irresponsible, it does not rise to the egregious level of conduct necessary to establish criminal culpable negligence.”
The case is now officially closed.
Disney’s Response and Crew Heroics
Disney Cruise Line has not commented on the police findings but had previously praised its crew for their swift and professional actions during the emergency.
After the rescue, both father and daughter were treated by the ship’s medical team.
The young girl suffered mild hypothermia and lactic acidosis, while her father sustained similar conditions along with two spinal fractures. Both were expected to make full recoveries.
Lessons for Cruising Families
While this case ended with a miraculous rescue, it underscores the importance of constant supervision and caution when travelling with children at sea.
Openings, railings, and deck edges can pose serious hazards – and even a momentary lapse can lead to tragedy.
Between 2009 and 2019, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) recorded 212 people going overboard across all major cruise lines. Only 48 were recovered alive – a survival rate of roughly 22%.
In this instance, luck and rapid response made the difference.
But for other families, it’s a stark reminder that even seemingly harmless moments – like posing for a photo – can quickly turn dangerous on open decks.
Make sure you read any warning signs around the ship, and follow their instructions!
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There is a sign – whether seen or not there is a sign. Signs have to be metal to withstand sea air and salt. The sign is in a visible place and as the photo isn’t focusing g on the sign it’s easy to say it’s not very visible .
However if you were standing in front of the window would you see the sign – yes you would.
The photo shows the window but a photo will not show that air is coming through the window which would be present plus outside noise.
The child was lifted onto a DO NOT CLIMB area or the child climbed it.
Either way not enough care was taken by the mother before she allowed or placed her child on the window sill.
The photo shows an unrealistic perspective . I am glad that both the child and its parent were rescued and thank god her father was there. But the fact remains extra care should be taken with children by their parents on ships. Lifting children onto railings or where it says do not climb is foolhardy.
Lesson learnt .
I think “negligent and irresponsible” is completely unfair personally; the sign just says ‘Do Not Climb’ and makes no reference to the fact there it is an open window with a direct drop to the ocean below, and the sign is not obvious at all.
From the photo, you can easily understand why people might assume it is possibly a window / enclosed porthole, even if some feel it is obvious.
Great to hear that no one died but sometimes an accident is just an accident, accusing the mother of being negligent and irresponsible is harsh and unneccessary, IMHO.
Common sense has gone out the door these days. Do Not Climb sign would be all that is required if common sense was used.
Thank goodness the child was saved, but where the public are concerned “idiot proof” comes to mind,!!! And yes I also missed the small nondescript warning label, high profile, big and bold, in word and colour, must be applied where the public has access