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Parents will not sue Disney over gator attack

The parents of a 2-year-old boy who was killed last month by an alligator at a Walt Disney World resort will not sue the resort.
The body of Lane Graves, 2, of Elkhorn Neb., was recovered from a lake at the Disney complex. (Orange County Sheriff's Office)

The parents of a 2-year-old boy who was killed last month by an alligator at a Walt Disney World resort will not sue the entertainment giant.

Matt and Melissa Graves released a statement Wednesday saying they plan to focus on their family and the foundation they created in Lane's honor.

"Melissa and I are broken. We will forever struggle to comprehend why this happened to our sweet baby, Lane. As each day passes, the pain gets worse, but we truly appreciate the outpouring of sympathy and warm sentiments we have received from around the world.
We know that we can never have Lane back, and therefore, we intend to keep his spirit alive through the Lane Thomas Foundation. It is our hope that through the foundation we will be able to share with others the unimaginable love Lane etched in our hearts. In addition to the foundation, we will solely be focused on the future health of our family and will not be pursuing a lawsuit against Disney. For now, we continue to ask for privacy as we focus on our family.”

Lane was snatched by an alligator on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa while he was wading in the water last month. Matt tried to save his son from the gator's jaws, but Lane was pulled into the water.

After removing several gators from the lagoon and examining them, FWC officials said they were confident the retrieved the gator that killed Lane.

Since his death, Disney erected fences and installed signage at its beach resorts. There were also reports from employees and guests, park officials removed alligators and crocodiles from some of its iconic rides and shows. They also added banned fishing unless it is part of an excursion.

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