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Disney Unveils Sculpture Honoring Toddler Killed by Gator

The lighthouse sculpture is a symbol of the foundation created in memory of Lane Graves

Disney World has unveiled a statue honoring a toddler killed by an alligator at one of its resorts last year.

Disney installed a lighthouse sculpture this week in memory of 2-year-old Lane Graves.

In June 2016, the toddler from Nebraska was playing in the water at the Seven Seas Lagoon beach at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Suddenly, a gator pulled the child underwater. His father tried to free the boy but it was too late. Lane’s body was found 16 hours later and his death was ruled an accident.

The sculpture is of a lighthouse, which is a symbol of the Lane Thomas Foundation, which was created in memory of the child. Disney teamed up with the Lane Thomas Foundation to erect the memorial.

"The lighthouse sculpture has been installed to help spread awareness of the Lane Thomas Foundation, which was established to provide assistance and support to families whose children need organ transplants,” a Disney spokesperson said.

If you would like to donate to the Lane Thomas Foundation, click here.

CORRECTION (Aug. 8, 2017, 9 a.m. ET): An earlier version of this story misspelled Lane Graves' first name. 

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