[Adrienne]

The Associated Press
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The mother of a 2-year-old who fell to his death at Chimney Rock State Park is disputing reports from park officials who said the boy ran from her and fell after slipping under a wooden rail.

Bibiana Saenz Bautista, 28, told the Spanish newspaper La Voz that she had her son, Giovani "Nani" Chávez Saenz, by the hand when he suddenly tried to pull away, lost his footing and fell between two wooden rails that guard the Skyline Trail.
"There were about 15 of us. We were walking nearly single file in an area maybe a meter (39 inches) wide," Bautista said Thursday. "He had a hold of my hand when he wanted to join his cousins who were walking in front and pulled at my hand. His foot slipped and he fell between the rails. He disappeared below and that was the last time I saw my son until I saw his body at the hospital."
Division of Parks and Recreation spokesman Charlie Peek initially said that the mother was holding her child's hand, walking between him and the railing, just before he fell on May 24. Peek said in a telephone interview Thursday night that his information was the result of a statement Saenz apparently made to Lake Lure police officer Glenn Gittens, who served as an interpreter.
Peek corrected the part of the report that said the mother was walking on the outside of the trail. He said it was the child who was walking next to the railing, adding that the discrepancy stemmed from secondhand, word of mouth information contradicted by written investigative notes, apparently also the result of Gittens' interpretation.
Peek said investigators have wanted to talk again to Saenz and her husband, Arturo Chávez García, 35, but the couple had not returned several message left at the home of Saenz's sister.
Saenz said she has received no such messages and only Tuesday had a telephone line installed in her home.
Peek said park signs warn visitors of the risks of falling and even death at the beginning of the Skyline and Cliff trails. He said the park discourages parents from taking smaller children on the trails because of the cliffs. "We didn't see any signs in Spanish," Saenz said. "If they don't think children should be on those trails, then why does it say at the entrance, "Adults $14 and children under six, free?"



For those who don't know, this is Chimney Rock:

Source: newsobserver.com | Mother says child did not run before fall at Chimney Rock



I thought this was one of the saddest things ever. I heard about it through my sister in law who's boyfriend is actually related to this unfortunate family. She told me that at the funeral, they had to have a closed casket because the poor child's face was so disfigured, they couldn't even tell who he was anymore. I really feel for the family.

[StereoXGirl]

That's really sad!

[GlossyAbby]

that is really sad but why would you take a child so small to an area like that?

[Adrienne]

Originally Posted by GlossyAbby

that is really sad but why would you take a child so small to an area like that?

That's what everyone was saying. I know the park allows it (they have stated that they don't want to officially ban children) but if they have signs outside of the park saying that there's a risk of fatal falls and they're also in spanish, then really there was no excuse for this accident. Its just so sad that it happened

[P.I.T.A]

OMG that's terrible. I can't even begin to imagine what that mother is going through right now. Just goes to show that anything can happen in a split second. =(

[Darla_G]

that is a truly tragic story.
but what you said Adrienne sums it up. There are a lot of places in nature where things can be dangerous not just for kids but for adults too.

Somehow on a trail I can't imagine either not holding the child's hand or being more than a step or two away from them. I've been to that place and its really a beautiful place.

[prettylynn]

That is sad, I cant even begin to imagine what his family is going through. Hopefully something good can come of this, and maybe this can be something that you will have to wait to see when you are an adult. That way you can decide for yourself if you want to possibly risk falling. I hope I dont sound cold hearted I dont mean to.

[S. Lisa Smith]

That is sad. I agree with the others, it's not a good place for young children!

[Adrienne]

Originally Posted by Darla_G

Somehow on a trail I can't imagine either not holding the child's hand or being more than a step or two away from them. I've been to that place and its really a beautiful place.

According to the mom she was holding his hand and he pulled away at the very worst second. What really scared me was the fact that the kids name is Giovani and my son's name is Giovanni and he's also 2. One of the superindents of the parks is named Adrienne and i'm Adrienne. Its gave me the creeps when i read another article mentioning all this.

[~Ms.August~365]

I feel for the family of this child. This is a horrible incident.

[Darla_G]

I don't know Adrienne would you bring your son there?

[Krystal]

That is so sad

[Adrienne]

Originally Posted by Darla_G

I don't know Adrienne would you bring your son there?

Oh no, i wouldn't even go up there. Heights scare the crap outta me. Its just sad that no matter how much you think you've got a safe hold on you child, it doesnt take but a split second to for things to take a turn for the worst. I'm scared of doing anything that might lead to my son getting injured so imo, itd be common sense to not take my son up there.

[sweetnsexy6953]

Wow, that sucks. Just imagine how the family feels and possibly the people who seen it happen but could do nothing about it.

[CellyCell]

Poor child... I wouldn't take a 2 year old up those clifts, hell no. Not unless I'll carry them up there myself, but that is obviously tiring. I feel bad for the family, but the Mom should've had better judgment.