(CNN) Salvatore "Sam" Anello, the grandfather charged in the death of his 18-month-old granddaughter who fell from a cruise ship, will change his plea to guilty, according to his attorney.

"This decision was an incredibly difficult one for Sam and the family, but because the plea agreement includes no jail time and no admission of facts, it was decided the plea deal is in the best interests of the family," his attorney Michael Winkleman said in a statement obtained by CNN.

Authorities in Puerto Rico charged Anello with negligent homicide in October, alleging that he dropped his granddaughter, Chloe Wiegand, from an open window on the 11th floor of the cruise ship in July.

He was scheduled to be tried by a judge in April. A hearing addressing his plea change has yet to be set, Winkleman said.

Attorney Michael Winkleman, who has been retained by the Wiegand family following the death of their toddler, Chloe on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, said the tragic accident could have been prevented.

The details of Chloe's death have been in dispute since the accident.

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