A rescue boat with several people aboard.
Share this @internewscast.com

THE truth about the hero dad who leapt off a Disney cruise ship to save his five-year-old daughter has been revealed.

Police have officially shut down swirling rumours about the father’s role in Sunday’s terrifying incident.

A rescue boat with several people aboard.
The dad (picured in a red shirt) immediately dived roughly 50ft into the ocean to save his daughterCredit: Facebook
Ocean view from a Disney cruise ship's deck.
The girl fell overboard from the fourth deck of the Disney Dream cruiseCredit: Facebook/Kevin Furuta
Rescued five-year-old girl and her father in a lifeboat.
The five-year-old sits on the ship’s lead physician’s lap as her identity is finally revealedCredit: Party_Objective/Reddit
Three women posing for a photo.
Alyssa Charles (centre) is a pediatric and emergency care specialist from South AfricaCredit: Instagram

It comes as the glamorous doctor seen cradling the rescued girl has now been named as Alyssa Charles.

A child tragically fell from the fourth deck of the Disney Dream, a $900 million cruise ship, around 11:30 a.m. as it was returning to Fort Lauderdale from the Bahamas.

Her dad, 37, immediately dived roughly 50ft into the ocean in a desperate attempt to save her.

He reportedly kept the little girl afloat for nearly 20 minutes before the pair were rescued by ship crew.

Although initially celebrated as a hero, the father soon faced backlash online due to widespread—and later proven false—rumors that he had placed the child on a 42.5-inch railing to snap a picture, leading to her fall.

But on Wednesday, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office officially refuted that viral theory.

Sheriff Gregory Tony clarified that the child was seated on the railing and accidentally fell backward through a porthole—emphasizing that the father had not put her in that position.

He said in a press briefing: “After the girl’s mother alerted her husband, who didn’t see the incident, he jumped into the ocean to save his daughter.

“BSO detectives said after the 37-year-old father found his daughter, he treaded water until they were rescued by a tender that was launched from the ship.”

What happened on the Carnival Triumph ‘poop cruise’- Netflix Trainwreck documentary explained-

Tony added that security video from the Disney Dream corroborated the family’s version of events.

“This family is so blessed. It’s great to be able to respond to good news rather than what could have been a tragic outcome,” he said.

The girl’s fall triggered an immediate man overboard alarm and emergency code “Mr MOB” across the ship, launching a high-speed rescue effort that played out in front of hundreds of stunned passengers.

Witnesses described frantic scenes as life rings were hurled into the ocean and a yellow rescue craft raced from the vessel to reach the dad-daughter duo.

Passenger Nikki Samsill Jackson told the Daily Mail: “When they were rescued, dad had his arms around his child and he was treading water.

 “Everybody was cheering.”

Passenger Chandler, who spoke to People, said she heard a loud thud after the fall.

“It sounded like hitting pavement, nothing like if you jump into a pool,” she said, describing an “awful” scream she believed came from the girl’s mother.

Portrait of Dr. Alyssa Charles.
The doctor joined Disney Cruise Line in August last yearCredit: Linkedin
A young girl is rescued and held by a woman in a yellow lifeboat.
Charles can be seen holding the child after the rescueCredit: Facebook

Glam doctor revealed

Once pulled from the water, it wasn’t her dad but a mystery woman seen cradling the rescued girl that captured attention online.

That woman has now been identified as Dr Alyssa Charles, the Disney Dream’s lead physician.

Charles, a pediatric and emergency care specialist from South Africa, was seen holding the girl gently in her lap, stroking her hair as she assessed her condition.

The footage went viral, with people praising her for the heartwarming care she provided.

“She was holding her like her own!” one user posted.

“The rescuer rubbing her head,” another wrote, adding a crying emoji.

Charles, who joined Disney Cruise Line in August last year, has previously worked at the Red Cross and travelled the world as a cruise doctor.

Her sister Jasmine confirmed her identity in a proud Instagram post: “That’s my sister! Doctor on the rescue boat!”

The girl appeared healthy after the terrifying ordeal, though her dad was reportedly injured while keeping her afloat and was taken to hospital after the ship returned to port.

Police declined to specify the nature of his injuries.

Disney has since praised its staff for their swift response.

A spokesperson said: “The crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water.

“We commend our crew members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions.

 “This incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”

Cruise officials are continuing to review how the girl was able to fall though cops have made it clear that no foul play is suspected.

The Disney Dream, which carries up to 3,500 passengers and can reach speeds of 25mph, was last refurbished in 2024.

It docked in Fort Lauderdale on Monday before continuing its five-day itinerary to Nassau and Disney Lookout Cay.

The cruise is due to return to Florida on Saturday.

Man fishing as Disney Dream cruise ship departs.
The cruise was making its way back to Fort Lauderdale from the Bahamas when the fall happenedCredit: Getty
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
California man allegedly crafted assassination list targeting federal officials in White supremacist plot

California Man Accused of Creating Hit List Aimed at Federal Officials in White Supremacist Scheme

A California man alleged to be a White supremacist and a member…
Aerial view of emergency personnel and vehicles at an airport runway after a small aircraft crash.

Skydiving Plane Crash Leaves 14 Injured in Major Incident, Victims Doused in Jet Fuel

At least 14 individuals have sustained injuries in a skydiving plane crash. …
Woman holding a photo of a younger woman with a bird.

Virginia Giuffre’s Family Shares Heartbreaking Note to Her Children Amidst Custody Battle With ‘Abusive’ Husband Robert

VIRGINIA Giuffre left her three children a heartbreaking final letter before her…
Drive-by shooting in Chicago leaves 4 dead, 14 injured

Chicago Drive-By Shooting Results in 4 Fatalities and 14 Injuries

The shooting happened at a restaurant that had just hosted the release…
Mets' Francisco Lindor named All-Star starter to end long drought

Francisco Lindor Breaks Mets’ All-Star Drought with Starting Position

Francisco Lindor’s All-Star drought is over — even if he hasn’t performed…
Mugshot of Ishaan Sharma with a black eye and other injuries.

Disruptive Passenger Ends Up with Severe Black Eye Following Shirtless Fight on Frontier Airlines Flight

A disruptive passenger ended up bruised and embarrassed after initiating a fight…
Oddsmakers don't believe in Aaron Rodgers' steelers

Betting Experts Aren’t Confident in Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers

Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission…
What We Voted For: Sean Duffy Takes on 'Woke' Roadways in Timely Reminder to Governors, State DOTs

How Sean Duffy Challenges ‘Woke’ Roads: A Thought-Provoking Message for Governors and State Departments of Transportation

I have to admit that I have been seriously impressed with Sean…
Plane crash at an airport with emergency personnel and onlookers.

Haunting Audio Captures Russians Shooting Down Plane on Christmas, Killing 38, Aware It Wasn’t a Ukrainian Drone

A CHILLING audio clip has emerged revealing the moment Russians shot down…
Gunslinging rabbi hunts neo-Nazis in movie 'Guns & Moses'

Rabbi with a Gun Takes on Neo-Nazis in the Film ‘Guns & Moses’

These Hollywood Jews take “movie shoot” to a whole new level.  “Guns…
Lawsuit says Trump's immigration crackdown has put LA 'under siege' in defiance of federal law

Lawsuit Claims Trump’s Immigration Policies Have Left Los Angeles ‘Under Siege,’ Violating Federal Law

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday accuses President Donald…
DeSantis administration threatens to punish island city that voted to end police agreement with ICE

DeSantis Administration Warns Island City of Consequences for Terminating Police Partnership with ICE

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said leaders in the state’s most southern…