Child grabbed by gator at resort in Orlando

Deputies were searching early Wednesday morning for a toddler who was dragged into the water by an alligator near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Tuesday night, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

A report of a 2-year-old child being dragged into the water came in at 9:21 p.m. Tuesday, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Rose Silva said.

Deputies were searching the Seven Seas Lagoon and put crime-scene tape around area to block it off. Multiple emergency vehicles filled the front drive of the Victorian-style hotel and a helicopter hovered overhead.

Reedy Creek Fire Rescue, Orange County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife officials were searching for the child and the alligator.

The child, whose name was not available, has not been found as of 12:30 a.m. A press conference scheduled for 12:45 a.m. has been postponed until 1:10 a.m.

Some witnesses said they saw the toddler along the beach near the water, but no eye-witnesses to him being dragged into the water by an alligator were available for comment Tuesday night.

The hotel is an upscale luxury resort owned by Disney. It is one of three hotels on the monorail line, just one stop away from the Magic Kingdom Park.

Hotel guest A.J. Jain and his family were visiting Disney from Georgia and said he and his kids were playing on the beach near the scene of the incident earlier Tuesday.

“I’m just here to say a prayer,” he said. “I can’t imagine what those parents are going through. It’s been one tough week in Orlando.”

It is not clear if the missing child was staying at the hotel.