Alligator Snatches Young Boy in Disney World Hotel Lagoon

Terrible news – a two-year-old boy was taken by an alligator in the Seven Seas Lagoon near a hotel on Tuesday night (June 14) at Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

According to CNN, his father desperately tried to save him and authorities launched an overnight search of the water.

“This is still a search and rescue operation,” Jeff Williamson, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, said. “We are very hopeful. We are hoping for the best.”

The boy was reportedly playing near the edge of the lagoon, in about a foot of water, when the animal dragged him in further as his family watched in horror.

They tried to rescue him, to no avail.

UPDATE: Sadly the body of Lane Graves has been found, according to AP.

Our thoughts go out to the boy’s family during this difficult time.