FREEDOM OF THE SEAS
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Passenger arrested at PortMiami on suspected child abuse
A 29-year-old Israeli national was taken into custody by law enforcement officials in Florida on Feb 17, 2026, after a cross-agency response at PortMiami uncovered illicit material on his mobile device, while he was disembarking from the 'Freedom of the Seas'. Federal and local agencies acted on information that had been relayed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, identifying suspicious activity tied to the purchase of child sexual abuse content. Customs officers boarded the ship rather than waiting for normal passenger processing to conclude and conducted a border search of the suspect’s cellphone. Documents from the Miami‑Dade County Sheriff's Office indicate that the search uncovered a video depicting the sexual assault of a young child. After being advised of his rights and questioned on board, the individual acknowledged possession of the material and was taken into custody. He was transferred to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Facility, where he remained held on a bond of US$2500. Federal immigration authorities also placed an immigration hold against him pending consideration of potential prosecution or removal proceedings. The arrest was executed in cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Miami-Dade officers, reflecting established procedures for screening and enforcement at major maritime arrival points. At the time of the incident, the cruise ship was docked following completion of a short Caribbean sailing.
Cruise ship altered itinerary for medevac in Miami
The 'Freedom of the Seas' has been forced to adjust its current itinerary due to a medical emergency. The cruise ship unexpectedly returned to the Port of Miami on the evening of Jan 26 to provide a passenger with urgent medical care. The cruise ship had departed Miami on Jan 25 for a five-day cruise through the Western Caribbean. After a planned visit to Nassau, Bahamas, the health of one of the passengers deteriorated on Jan 25, the medical staff on board determined that the patient required specialized care off the ship. Due to the extra sailing time to and from Miami, the ship could no longer maintain its original schedule. The planned visit to George Town, Cayman Islands, scheduled for Jan 26, was canceled. Instead, the ship spent the day at sea, setting course for an alternative destination. Royal Caribbean has added Freeport, Grand Bahama, to the itinerary to replace the Cayman Islands. The cruise ship reached the port on Jan 28. Passengers who booked excursions to George Town through the cruise line received refunds. The refunds were credited to the guests' personal accounts as shipboard credit. Any amounts unspent at the end of the cruise would be refunded to the credit cards of the passengers in question. The ship was expected back in Miami on Jan 29, completing the five-day cruise as per its original end date.
Three years probation for negligent homicide
A grandfather who pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the fall of his young granddaughter from deck 11tof the 'Freedom of the Seas' while she was docked in Puerto Rico was sentenced on Jan 8, 2021, to three years’ probation, according to justice officials. Salvatore “Sam” Anello, of Valparaiso, Indiana, had pleaded guilty in the case in October 2020. Defense attorney Michael Winkleman has said Anello would serve probation in his home state. Anello was aboard the cruise ship with family in July 2019 when the death occurred. He has said he did not know the window in the children’s play area was open and that he lifted 18-month-old Chloe Wiegand up to it so she could knock on the glass as she had done at her brother’s hockey games. The girl’s parents sued Royal Caribbean in a civil case that is still ongoing.
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