Man Arrested for Allegedly Groping a Face Character in WDW

[GhostlyGoofy]

This Ariel M&G has always been popular with adult men and I have heard from a "friend" of Ariel's that the handlers and photographers receive some extra training on how to handle guests like this. Not only does the handler for this Ariel need to be able to help her come onstage but to basically act as a bodyguard.

This is disheartening. They shouldn't have to, but maybe post signs that state, costume is not consent to grope.

 

[Heppenheimer]

This Ariel M&G has always been popular with adult men and I have heard from a "friend" of Ariel's that the handlers and photographers receive some extra training on how to handle guests like this. Not only does the handler for this Ariel need to be able to help her come onstage but to basically act as a bodyguard.

Because we apparently can't have nice things in this country, perhaps its time for Ariel in the Meet and Greet to permanently change into her land clothes. I seem to recall this is how the character was dressed at Akershus.

But who knows, maybe even that won't stop these pervy dirtbags.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Because we apparently can't have nice things in this country, perhaps its time for Ariel in the Meet and Greet to permanently change into her land clothes. I seem to recall this is how the character was dressed at Akershus.

But who knows, maybe even that won't stop these pervy dirtbags.

The whole point of this meet and greet is you go "under the sea" to meet her in her mermaid tail. She's in her legs at Akershus and Cinderella's Royal Table and the Bon Voyage breakfast (Ariel is my kid's favorite so we've been to them all) but aside from meeting her in the grotto the only time you see her in a tail is in the Festival of Fantasy

 

[awoogala]

Because we apparently can't have nice things in this country, perhaps its time for Ariel in the Meet and Greet to permanently change into her land clothes. I seem to recall this is how the character was dressed at Akershus.

But who knows, maybe even that won't stop these pervy dirtbags.

it won't. I've done theme park acting (far in the past) as a 20 something woman. Nothing stops gross, disgusting, men.. from acting like gross, disgusting men. The amount of inappropriate comments, touches, etc. would be insane (many times, with their kids right next to them).
We were never allowed to walk alone in costume, for good reason.

When I did it, I was more of a "dead bride" -full gown. Men were still awful.
I won't even get into wearing braids as a Dutch girl look when I was 16 for another acting gig.
Perverts are going to be perverts, regardless.

 

[righttrack]

Read this. She was really upset and rightly so. I hope she realizes that this was in no way her fault and that she has found some peace. Such a shame this had to happen.

 

[The_Jobu]

it won't. I've done theme park acting (far in the past) as a 20 something woman. Nothing stops gross, disgusting, men.. from acting like gross, disgusting men. The amount of inappropriate comments, touches, etc. would be insane (many times, with their kids right next to them).
We were never allowed to walk alone in costume, for good reason.

When I did it, I was more of a "dead bride" -full gown. Men were still awful.
I won't even get into wearing braids as a Dutch girl look when I was 16 for another acting gig.
Perverts are going to be perverts, regardless.

It's aggravating how common this is. I've watched a lot of vlogs with retired face characters and they all had at least one similar story. At least with the obvious ones you can charge them, but there's also a lot of creepers that technically follow the rules but act as though they're in a relationship with the character and always visit at the same time to see them.

Also, I didn't think you were even allowed to put your arm around a princess? Didn't the handler ask him to remove it as soon as he did?

This is why we can't have nice things people!

 

[GoofySpeed]

While you're armchair quarterbacking this girl's assault.... the articles state that there was only a thin piece of clothing between him and her. Meaning he didn't cup her ridiculously thick and bulky shell. It sounds like he slid his hand up under it where only the mesh body suit was.

Yes, that was all included in my post with the arrest affidavit that you replied too.

...The victim looked down and saw the suspect’s right hand on her right breast shell. The victim stated that the Velcro on the costume is weak and as she moved to look down the shell lifted and the defendant cupped the victim’s right breast with his right forefinger and thumb with only the thin skin-tight fabric in between her breast and the defendant’s thumb and forefinger. The defendant cupped and lifted the victim’s right breast for approximately three to four-seconds during the battery....

 

[danlb_2000]

The article says he is facing "battery charges." I think battery and assault in Florida are different charges.

Did he have to pay $3.00 for those?

 

[danlb_2000]

the big question will be... based on photos and evidence... can he claim he didn’t realize where his hand actually was.

Putting your arm around a character at a meet and greet would not be considered battery (I have photos from D23 of various Disney celebrities putting there hand on my shoulder....).

I’m NOT saying he’s innocent.... but I’m wondering what really happened here.

This brings up the question, did the photographer take a photo of the incident as evidence or not?

 

[LAKid53]

I have yet to see the mug shot of a sex offender where the person doesn't look creepy.

I wonder if Disney can legally refuse entry to a registered offender?

Private property. Disney can refuse entry to anyone it pleases. The scumbag was most likely served with a no tresspass.

 

[LAKid53]

Wouldn't it be out of Disney's control whether or not prosecution is pursued? It was a crime committed against an individual Disney employee, not against the Disney company more generally. I would think this would be under the complete judiciary discretion of the county or state.

The female CM will have to file a complaint and local LE & the state attorney will investigate. Only then will a decision be made to prosecute.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I have yet to see the mug shot of a sex offender where the person doesn't look creepy.

I wonder if Disney can legally refuse entry to a registered offender?

Compared to what? mug shots of dui arrests?

 

[LAKid53]

Aren't most state sex offender registries open to the general public, though? But you are correct, this would be impractical to check every walk-up customer against every state sex offender list.

In Florida, yes. But it's impractical to expect Disney, with thousands of visitors each day, from all over the planet, to run a background check on each guest.

 

[LAKid53]

the big question will be... based on photos and evidence... can he claim he didn’t realize where his hand actually was.

Putting your arm around a character at a meet and greet would not be considered battery (I have photos from D23 of various Disney celebrities putting there hand on my shoulder....).

I’m NOT saying he’s innocent.... but I’m wondering what really happened here.

According to the article, he was asked to move his hand. He then groped the CM. Will be difficult to claim ignorance.

 

[LAKid53]

The article says he is facing "battery charges." I think battery and assault in Florida are different charges.

Basically,

Battery - touching without permission
Assault - threatening behavior that puts another in fear

If I grabbed your rear, that might be considered battery if I did it without your permission. If I threatened to punch you, that's assault. If I DID punch you, that's assault & battery.

Differences apply to all jurisdictions.

 

[The_Jobu]

Basically,

Battery - touching without permission
Assault - threatening behavior that puts another in fear

If I grabbed your rear, that might be considered battery if I did it without your permission. If I threatened to punch you, that's assault. If I DID punch you, that's assault & battery.

Differences apply to all jurisdictions.

So basically, if you're gonna punch somebody, make sure its a sucker punch so you get less charges.

 

[King Panda 77]

So basically, if you're gonna punch somebody, make sure its a sucker punch so you get less charges.

What if you were asking to be punched ?

 

[NelsonRD]

And yet, Disney eliminated ABC Family in favor of Freeform, to be more edgy. Perhaps the promotion of hip sex constantly on TV is also part to blame.

 

[awoogala]

And yet, Disney eliminated ABC Family in favor of Freeform, to be more edgy. Perhaps the promotion of hip sex constantly on TV is also part to blame.

what is to blame is this man being a groping pervert. It has nothing to do with her outfit, sex on tv, or anything else.

 

[NelsonRD]

what is to blame is this man being a groping pervert. It has nothing to do with her outfit, sex on tv, or anything else.

Are you suggesting the sensationalism of sex on TV and movies shares no blame on human behavior? People like to blame gun violence on video games and music, but date rape Jersey Shore gets a pass?

I didn't place any blame on her. I believe bad sexual behavior is promoted on tv for humor and coolness factors.