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Guardian Named for Plane Crash Survivor

Belleville News-Democrat

An Illinois judge has ruled that a 7-year-old girl who survived a plane crash that killed four family members is now under the legal care of her half-sister.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that a Washington County judge granted guardianship of Sailor Gutzler to her half-sister Kasie Dlubala and her husband Daniel of Nashville.

Court guardian Julie Kozuszek wrote in a report that Sailor was doing well in school and involved in extracurricular activities while living with the Dlubalas. The guardian wrote that Sailor expressed desire to live with the family. The ruling was made Jan. 30.

Sailor's parents, 9-year-old sister and 14-year-old cousin were killed in the Jan. 2 crash in Kentucky as they returned from a Florida vacation.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.
 

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