myFOXOrlando: Boy molested at Typhoon Lagoon (July 16)

a2grafix

a2grafix

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
According to FOX sister station WOFL / myFOXOrlando.com, a man was arrested for allegedly molesting a boy at Typhoon Lagoon, WOLF posted on its Web site late Thursday evening. The victim's age is 13. The suspect's age is 29.

(I happen to work at a FOX TV station)

Below is the alleged culprit, who is from the state of Washington.

david-thomas2_20090716233453_320_240.JPG


Boy molested at Typhoon Lagoon

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Orange County Sheriff's Office ______ Crimes Detectives have arrested a man accused of molesting a boy at Walt Disney World Resort's Typhoon Lagoon.

David Eugene Thomas, 29, of Mountlake Te, Washington, has been charged with one count of lewd molestation. The victim is a 13 year old boy. Investigators said Thomas molested the boy in a tide pool area of the park, and believe there could be more victims.

“One of the victim's father witnessed what was going on, and the lifeguard on duty also witnessed what was going on,” said Orange County Sgt. Rich Mankewich. “One of the 13-year-old boys disclosed that he was touched underwater by the suspect.”

Investigators said Thomas was visiting Florida, accompanied by a 15-year-old boy who lives with Thomas in Washington. The 15-year-old, who is apparently not related to Thomas told deputies that he has been victimized by Thomas for the past five years.

Detectives said Thomas admitted to the inappropriate contact with one of the boys at the park. He could face additional charges once the investigation is complete.

This doesn't happen at Disney. It should not. But it is happening, at an alarming rate, including last week's similiar allegations at the same resort water park.

When will this stop? I'm sorry, but why go on vacation / holiday to Walt Disney World and partake in such an illegal action? It just doesn't make sense.
 
sueuk

sueuk

Member
Unfortunately, it's a sad fact that it DOES happen at WDW, in fact it happens ANYWHERE where perverts have access to children. Just don't blame Disney, they can't screen people before they visit! - keep a close eye on your children wherever you are and don't let people like this spoil the world for everyone else.
 
Ceekling

Ceekling

Member
I've got to agree with sueuk. It's sad and scary but it does happen everywhere, including Disney. If nothing else, people will be more vigilant around their kids and not assume Disney is 100% safe.
 
BrerPete

BrerPete

Active Member
Vigilance is a must for every parent or guardian of a child. There can never be exceptions, no matter the location. The problem is the lack of severity in the punishments that these perverts receive.
 
DznyGrlSD

DznyGrlSD

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
:(OMG - I know Disney isn't in it's own 'protective bubble' but they've been getting a LOT of bad-press lately
 
WDWFREAK53

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
Was this just bad reporting or did I read it wrong?

"One of the victim's father witnessed what was going on"

The victim had more than one father? :shrug:

Anywho, it's just disgusting. I think they need to put the focus on the 13 year old aside and concentrate their efforts on what was going on with that 15 year old! 5 YEARS?!?!?!
 
astewart

astewart

Member
WDWFREAK53 said:
Was this just bad reporting or did I read it wrong?

"One of the victim's father witnessed what was going on"

The victim had more than one father? :shrug:

Anywho, it's just disgusting. I think they need to put the focus on the 13 year old aside and concentrate their efforts on what was going on with that 15 year old! 5 YEARS?!?!?!
Click to expand...

I think there were multiple victims. I think they mean that the father of one of the victims saw it.
 
unkadug

unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
WDWFREAK53 said:
Was this just bad reporting or did I read it wrong?

"One of the victim's father witnessed what was going on"

The victim had more than one father? :shrug:

Anywho, it's just disgusting. I think they need to put the focus on the 13 year old aside and concentrate their efforts on what was going on with that 15 year old! 5 YEARS?!?!?!
Click to expand...

"One of the victim's father" - meaning the father of one of the victims
not
"One of the victim's fathers" - meaning one of several different men claiming to be a father of the victim.


Yeah that 5 year deal is also pretty disturbing.
 
joel_maxwell

joel_maxwell

Permanent Resident of EPCOT
Tie him down, cover him with peanut butter and let a pack of feral wolverine's eat him. That is assuming, feral wolverine's like peanut butter.

In all seriousness. Fry him.
 
tigsmom

tigsmom

Well-Known Member
sueuk said:
Unfortunately, it's a sad fact that it DOES happen at WDW, in fact it happens ANYWHERE where perverts have access to children. Just don't blame Disney, they can't screen people before they visit! - keep a close eye on your children wherever you are and don't let people like this spoil the world for everyone else.
Click to expand...

Could not have said this better.

WDW does not exist in a bubble or it's own universe, YOU have to watch your kids and protect them to the best of your ability...that is your job as a parent.

WDWFREAK53 said:
Was this just bad reporting or did I read it wrong?

"One of the victim's father witnessed what was going on"

The victim had more than one father? :shrug:

Anywho, it's just disgusting. I think they need to put the focus on the 13 year old aside and concentrate their efforts on what was going on with that 15 year old! 5 YEARS?!?!?!
Click to expand...

More than one victim


and to the OP...why go to WDW and partake in this sort of thing? Because he is a child molester and WDW is where children go in large numbers.

As far as I'm concerned enough bad things cannot happen to people like this :fork::fork:
 
WDW_Emily

WDW_Emily

Well-Known Member
Fallen Angel said:
:(OMG - I know Disney isn't in it's own 'protective bubble' but they've been getting a LOT of bad-press lately
Click to expand...

I was just going to say that:( poor wdw they can't control what individuals do. But this is like the second or third report of a child being molested in a water park at disney this month. not to mention the bus and monorail accidents.
 
kapeman

kapeman

Member
unkadug said:
"One of the victim's father" - meaning the father of one of the victims
not
"One of the victim's fathers" - meaning one of several different men claiming to be a father of the victim.
Click to expand...

It is still awkward and poorly phrased.

How about: "A father of one of the victims..."

I am surprised that got passed an editor.
 
luvlifeinfl

luvlifeinfl

New Member
Here is a more detailed report from the Orlando Sentinal.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-bk-typhoon-lagoon-sexual-incident-071709,0,6686003.story

The victim was 13, he told his father and he then told a lifegaurd and they witness the guy touch others, but they did not complain.

Also there was a 15 yr old boy with him that the mother thought it best that her child stay with this man.

The comment that came from this man was it was an experiment.

To the op that stated that we need to watch our childern at all times is a reminder to all of us that we be on guard at all times with our childern.
 
EPCOTPluto

EPCOTPluto

Well-Known Member
Seriously, what's happening over there? Molestation cases, Disney Transport accidents, Molestation cases...

Surely not a good year for Disney. :(

I wonder now if it's OK to renew our After 2pm passes for TL and BB...maybe in August, I'll come back.
 
Disneyfan1981

Disneyfan1981

Active Member
It's a sad fact that Disney parks are magnets for people like this, the possible victims are plenty and the visitors often have that false sense of security being in Disney. There are a couple of these reports every year unfortunately...I agree with one of the posters above that these criminals don't receive harsh enough punishments and I hope that the children involved are okay and can get past this. I would hate to have to relate Disney to something like this.
 
wdwmomof3

wdwmomof3

Well-Known Member
CrazyEm said:
I was just going to say that:( poor wdw they can't control what individuals do. But this is like the second or third report of a child being molested in a water park at disney this month. not to mention the bus and monorail accidents.
Click to expand...

It's sad, and I hope that this is the end of it for a while. You know, before hearing these stories I'm not so sure that I would have been watching what others do so closely, I normally just watch my own children, but I have got to say I will be watching everything from now on. I'll also talk to my children and warn them about this kind of thing before we go.
 
mrtoad

mrtoad

Well-Known Member
What I don't get is why all of a sudden a bunch of them. It is just weird.

There is a reason why my wife and I are overprotective parents and this junk just highlights it. It is scary being a parent...
 

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