Truth about hero dad who leapt off Disney cruise to save daughter, 5, revealed – as glam doc seen cradling girl is named
Police have officially shut down swirling rumours about the father's role in Sunday's terrifying incident.
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It comes as the glamorous doctor seen cradling the rescued girl has now been named as Alyssa Charles.
The child fell from the fourth deck of the $900 million Disney Dream around 11.30am as the vessel made its way back to Fort Lauderdale from the Bahamas.
Her dad, 37, immediately dived roughly 50ft into the ocean in a desperate attempt to save her.
He reportedly kept the little girl afloat for nearly 20 minutes before the pair were rescued by ship crew.
Initially hailed as a hero, the dad soon became the target of online outrage amid widespread - and now debunked - claims that he had lifted the child onto a 42.5-inch railing to take a photo, causing her to fall.
But on Wednesday, the Broward County Sheriff's Office officially refuted that viral theory.
Sheriff Gregory Tony said the child was sitting on the railing and fell backwards through a porthole - but made it clear that the dad did not put her there.
He said in a press briefing: 'After the girl's mother alerted her husband, who didn't see the incident, he jumped into the ocean to save his daughter.
'BSO detectives said after the 37-year-old father found his daughter, he treaded water until they were rescued by a tender that was launched from the ship.'
Tony added that security video from the Disney Dream corroborated the family's version of events.
'This family is so blessed. It's great to be able to respond to good news rather than what could have been a tragic outcome,' he said.
The girl's fall triggered an immediate man overboard alarm and emergency code "Mr MOB" across the ship, launching a high-speed rescue effort that played out in front of hundreds of stunned passengers.
Witnesses described frantic scenes as life rings were hurled into the ocean and a yellow rescue craft raced from the vessel to reach the dad-daughter duo.
Passenger Nikki Samsill Jackson told the Daily Mail: 'When they were rescued, dad had his arms around his child and he was treading water.
'Everybody was cheering.'
Passenger Chandler, who spoke to People, said she heard a loud thud after the fall.
'It sounded like hitting pavement, nothing like if you jump into a pool,' she said, describing an 'awful' scream she believed came from the girl's mother.
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Glam doctor revealed
Once pulled from the water, it wasn't her dad but a mystery woman seen cradling the rescued girl that captured attention online.
That woman has now been identified as Dr Alyssa Charles, the Disney Dream's lead physician.
Charles, a pediatric and emergency care specialist from South Africa, was seen holding the girl gently in her lap, stroking her hair as she assessed her condition.
The footage went viral, with people praising her for the heartwarming care she provided.
'She was holding her like her own!' one user posted.
'The rescuer rubbing her head,' another wrote, adding a crying emoji.
Charles, who joined Disney Cruise Line in August last year, has previously worked at the Red Cross and travelled the world as a cruise doctor.
Her sister Jasmine confirmed her identity in a proud Instagram post: 'That's my sister! Doctor on the rescue boat!'
The girl appeared healthy after the terrifying ordeal, though her dad was reportedly injured while keeping her afloat and was taken to hospital after the ship returned to port.
Police declined to specify the nature of his injuries.
Disney has since praised its staff for their swift response.
A spokesperson said: 'The crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water.
'We commend our crew members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions.
'This incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.'
Cruise officials are continuing to review how the girl was able to fall though cops have made it clear that no foul play is suspected.
The Disney Dream, which carries up to 3,500 passengers and can reach speeds of 25mph, was last refurbished in 2024.
It docked in Fort Lauderdale on Monday before continuing its five-day itinerary to Nassau and Disney Lookout Cay.
The cruise is due to return to Florida on Saturday.
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