PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Except that it happened when it was tied up to the State of Florida in Port Canaveral.
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Disney lets child molester employee escape
- Thread starter Skyway
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Except that it happened when it was tied up to the State of Florida in Port Canaveral.
nytimez
Well-Known Member
Honestly, that may not be the case at all. I think if they had reported it at the time, contacted police and had the perp taken off the ship in Port Canaveral it would have been a bigger story for two reasons:
1) Immediacy. It just happened - as opposed to something that happened last summer.
2) Pictures. Pictures, pictures, pictures. Pictures of the flashing lights at the ship, pictures of the guy being led down the gangplank in cuffs, pictures of curious cruisegoers peering over the railing, wondering what's going on.
I think there's an understanding that the story will be damaging either way. However, they are choosing the least damaging approach, PR-wise. Which also happens to be the most damaging approach in terms of the human toll.
awilliams4
Well-Known Member
That isn't what I read. What I read plainly stated that the Grandmother is the one that did not allow justice to the victim.
nytimez
Well-Known Member
This is a half truth. If the crime was reported and investigated by US police the grandmother's wishes wouldn't come into play.
She was wrong - but I'd like to know what she went through/what she was told/what she was offered during the two days between when she reported the crime and then declined to pursue it with Bahamas police. I wouldn't be surprised if the decision had been influenced in some way.
This is not to justify her actions. Just to point out it's not as cut and dry as "a child molester is free because of grandma," which is just not the case.
Then you must not have read it. Including this paragraph:
"Had Florida law enforcement immediately been informed of the potential life felony and found probable cause, Hellebrand said the suspect would have been arrested, regardless of a victim’s grandmother’s wishes."
In the US, police do not need a family to "press charges". That's what prosecutors are paid to do, on behalf of the government.
If a Disney employee observed a parent molesting their own child, would it be OK for that parent to be set free because another family member didn't want to press charges? Of course not. Same rule applies here.
And did Disney really think that handing the guy over to the Bahamanian police for a crime that occurred in the US would result in justice?
janoimagine
Well-Known Member
nytimez
Well-Known Member
Yes. This is the point I'm making.
BoarderPhreak
Well-Known Member
The whole cruise industry is a funny thing - and I say this having been on three myself (albeit with Princess Cruises). The more you know about it, the less you'll want to cruise! 
I_heart_Tigger
Well-Known Member
Maybe some DCL CM's can clarify but being a former crew member of a ship I may be able to explain why Disney "paid" for his transportation home. When I worked a portion of my pay was earmarked for travel expenses to and from the ship. It's part of my contract. In essence the crew member had already paid for his transportation home through pay deductions.
Also, I believe there was an obvious delay but I have a feeling the delay would not have occurred if proper people on board the ship were notified. Security can't authorize a delayed departure only the captain and first officer can. Crew members have it drilled into their head to get into and out of ports on time because the fines associated with staying at the berth for too long are exorbitant.
The Captain or FO should have been notified before they began the search on board for the crew member. I have a theory the Captain was notified after the ship left port and is now doing damage control. I think Security felt that they were the top of the chain of command for this crime (for most crimes on board they have authorization to act without the Captains consent) but sadly they overestimated their authority and a child molester was let go.
Also, I believe there was an obvious delay but I have a feeling the delay would not have occurred if proper people on board the ship were notified. Security can't authorize a delayed departure only the captain and first officer can. Crew members have it drilled into their head to get into and out of ports on time because the fines associated with staying at the berth for too long are exorbitant.
The Captain or FO should have been notified before they began the search on board for the crew member. I have a theory the Captain was notified after the ship left port and is now doing damage control. I think Security felt that they were the top of the chain of command for this crime (for most crimes on board they have authorization to act without the Captains consent) but sadly they overestimated their authority and a child molester was let go.
I am sorry, but this honestly screams at me that disney knew exactly what it was doing. They made their decision to report it when they reported it so the bahamas could take jurisdiction. They knew they had a international family with a international employee. It took us nine months to hear about this. The cruise industry is also a very big deal to the bahamas economy as all tourism, so I am sure disney as tons of influence down there. Granted they have influence over the Floridas government as well, but not like this. International family that probably did not fully understand what was going on when they go to the bahamas and a international employee that they could hurry up and fly home.....I am sorry disney felt they could sweep this much better under the rug in the bahamas, thats what I take from this
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
Whatever happened to the art of keelhauling scum?
We've grown soft, so they fly in all the way from India to molest girls, safe in the knowledge they'll get a free flight back home as 'punishment'.
We've grown soft, so they fly in all the way from India to molest girls, safe in the knowledge they'll get a free flight back home as 'punishment'.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
As for Disney - what, you hoping that by not reporting this crime you can prevent the headline 'young girl molested aboard Disney ship'?
Guess what, I shan't be taking a DCL because I now realise that Disney does not protect young children from predators.
Guess what, I shan't be taking a DCL because I now realise that Disney does not protect young children from predators.
I_heart_Tigger
Well-Known Member
I respectfully suggest you don't take any cruises at all. You would be horrified to find how often this sort of thing happens and is never reported. I worked on 3 different lines and it's happened on all of those and on other lines that my colleagues have worked on. Having no evidence other than tales at the crew bar and rumours got me nowhere when I reported the incidents that I had heard of.
The only crimes I found to be even more prevalent are getting minors drunk and rape among crew members.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
Goodness me.
I know WDW attracts child molesters like sugarcandy attracts flies - lots of children means lots of predators. I hadn't thought about cruiselines. I must admit I too had the - somewhat naive - notion that on the controlled environment of a ship a minor can roam around in relative safety.
I_heart_Tigger
Well-Known Member
I always remind parents that they are not in a bubble when they go to Disney World or on a cruise. Here's how to look at it. Cruise ships (and WDW for that matter) are staffed by people from all over the world. They are away from their families and friends and can become whoever they want to be. Most people want to become someone good and likeable...some do not. If you take the total number of crew there is a good chance there are pedophiles among them - it's a small city, just adjust the numbers by the percentage of crime in a city and apply it to a much smaller scale.
Add to that the feeling that no one at home - your spouse, parents, kids or friends - will never find out what you're doing while you're there and people get brazen.
I was naïve when I got on my first ship. I'm jaded now. I would not let my 11 year old niece to be alone on any ship, Disney or not, unless it is in the kids area. Those are the only people who get background checks (at least they did on my ships) and that would be after I met them face to face and made it clear I would be dropping in at any time I wish.
Susan Savia
Well-Known Member
Why was an 11 year old alone on an elevator to begin with? Where were the parents?
Violet
Well-Known Member
Interesting post. I agree with your last sentence 100%. However, for me, if I had seen it happening as you described in points 1 and 2, I would be reassured by DCL. The way this is coming out now is not reassuring to say the least. I'd say they chose the most damaging approach from a PR perspective as well. JMO.
fillerup
Well-Known Member
Those might be relevant questions to ask, but in the context of this story, they are the least important ones of all.
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