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This Mom Posted Pics Of Her Son In Disney Lagoon An Hour Before Gator Attack

by John Haltiwanger
Jennifer Venditti

There's perhaps nothing worse in this world than losing a child. You don't have to be a parent to imagine how tough it must be. But if you are a parent, it's likely your biggest fear and worst nightmare.

This is precisely why Jennifer Venditti posted an emotional tribute on Facebook for the parents of the 2-year-old boy who was snatched and ultimately killed by an alligator at Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort on Tuesday.

Venditti was with her 3-year-old son in the exact same location as the attack, roughly an hour before it occurred. She can barely fathom what this boy's parents are going through.

She said,

PRAY, PRAY so hard for the family & for those who witnessed this tragic event. I took these pics at the exact spot this happened betw 8 & 830, the incident happened at 9. Helicopters flew overhead til 1 am and were back around dawn. I can't imagine anyone could sleep knowing that the helicopter was searching for a missing child taken by an alligator. I can't help but wonder if we played with him, did I talk to his Mom?? How does one go home without your baby in tow? I've already seen posts criticizing the parents. I can assure you alligators were not on my mind at all when Channing was in the water. It's a tiny beach, surrounded by pools, water slides, a restaurant and a fire pit. I can't conceive that an alligator would be in such a busy, small space. ‪#‎judgelesspraymore‬

Here are the photos of her son playing in the area of the attack.

Jennifer Venditti
Jennifer Venditti
Jennifer Venditti

This is such a heartbreaking story. Venditti is right: This is no time to be criticizing parents who just lost a child.