Orlando Sentinel story about "inappropriate fondling" on the Dream

[n8nally]

i don't know, as someone said in a pp, there is a chain of command and there are steps that need to be taken. i'm not so sure that the time line allowed for reporting before sailing.
the girl and gm went to guest services at 3:03
security was called and started to investigate at 3:22
at 3:57 the girl walked secruity to the elevator
the security officer then reviewed the tape
at 4:48 the tape was shown to the dinning room manager
at 5:02 the ship sailed
being that there would have been conversations with everyone involved it is not beyond scope that the ship would sail without the captain knowing what was going on.
and if the person were NOT guilty and they would have been handed over to the police to talk with this thread would be a brow beat of that event.
do i think that it was handled properly? well, it could have been handled differently but it probably was handled properly. do i think disney did their best to control the situation? yes.
"The suspect continued to roam the ship until 7:50 p.m., when he was called to the security office and, under questioning, denied molesting the girl, according to the DCL report. He was then “removed from the floor” and, apparently, kept from encountering children."
innocent till proven guilty is our way is it not? he was handed over to police, maybe not the way we would have like him to be but he was handed over.
this is a crime that should be punished to the fullest! today we can't change that its not. one day we will.
it always amazes me that people let younger children roam the ship alone. we get so comfortable with the people on the ship yet we don't know them, not truly. and as much as disney is named it could be any cruise line, children roam alone on them all. some people are happy this one is a disney ship. one more good blow to the big bad corporation. lets keep prospective. its a crime that took place on a cruise ship in an industry that could use stricter guidelines. i just hope we learn from it and take better care of the little ones we love.

I agree with all of this!

 

[n8nally]

When I worked for an air ambulance company, we never had a patient "die" on our aircraft either. The reason being that a nurse, EMT or paramedic can't legally call time of death in emergency transport, only a doctor can, this may also apply in Disney. So, while it sure sounds good as a criticism, legally it's how it has to be.

As a former WDW CM, this is the explanation we were given.

 

[silmarg]

If and when the captain learned of the incident the boat should've returned to PC - period.

They return to PC when a medical issue occurs in shortly after departing, they should've done it here as well.

 

[GoofyTwinDad]

Just read through the entire thread, and I am amazed that people are still defending DCL.

1. A crime was commited and reported in US territory territory well over 1 hour prior to departure.

2. At first report, there should have been a call to FL authorities.

3. Video clearly shows the CM blocking the elevator so the child could not escape. Please correct me if I'm wrong, isn't unlawful detention tatamount to kidnapping? I have seen many cases where kidnapping charges have been added in this type of situation.

4. DCL should have restrained the CM until returning to PC to face charges instead of allowing Bahamian officials to make the decision. I would not be surprised if DCL did not flex their muscle to keep this incident quiet. I am sure Bahamian officials do not have any problem putting a few extra dollars in their pockets. If they would have brought back the CM to PC, the negative publicity of DCL's decision to sail away on time instead of turning the CM over to FL authorities and delaying departure would have damaged their family oriented reputation.

 

[silmarg]

In my case I didn't want to sue. My trip was ruined on day one with 3 broken ribs and a sprained wrist due to CM negligence. Even half a cruise credit would have made me not feel so bitter....although I am cruising DCL again, so I'm obviously not holding a grudge. But in this little girl's case, they might not even know where to begin any kind of process.
I'm also leaning toward believing that DCL may have paid for their cruise, which for them might have been enough to feel like putting it in the past and moving on.

Wow stace. That's horrible.

OT.

I had a friend on a carnival trip many years ago got hit on the head by a squeegee that was dropped from while an employee was trying to clean a window at the top of an atrium. He was passed out and out of commish for a couple days. As compensation Carnival have him 8 free cruises.

 

[anna08]

Look, I can't really see any defense of DCL actions in this matter. I don't think there's a single guest on the ship that when asked,

" Do you mind if we leave 30 minutes late so that we can call the proper authorities and have a pedophile taken off the ship? " that
would have answered anything but, for god's sake YES!

This was a PR move, plain and simple. and it is gonna backfire in their faces - and no they won't reply to the issue, as their attorneys
will have advised them.

As for interpreting what happened on the video - leave that up to the authorities in FL. DCL could have easily gotten him back on
the ship later once the FL police & prosecutor had reviewed the videos and decided if he should be let go.

Geez, people, this is a CHILD victim. Pray yours isn't his next.

 

[anna08]

And as is common for most pedophiles, this probably wasn't his first victim.

I do hold the Captain accountable for his decision not to return/delay the cruise.

Sickening.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

I'm assuming there is a camera inside of the elevator that caught more of the incident. Most elevators have security cameras inside.

 

[Rogillio]

What I find disgusting is how quick people are to assume the worst. Read rhe whole thread. Disney did not make a decision to leave, a person did, the captain of the ship and/or port athorities. Did the captain know about the incident and investigation? We dont know. Did he decide to leave in attmpt to protect Disney? i seriouly doubt it. And speculating that he did is pure conjecture. What is disgusting is the assualt. There is no evidence that DCL did anything wrong. You can opine about what you think should have happened but you don't see all the cards....only an inconclusive video and what a reporter said. This happened over 2 hrs...the busiest 2 hrs of the cruise....just before departure during a safety dill and all the last minute logistics.

I understand people's knee jerk reaction as I had the sme reaction. But this is why we don't use lynch mobs to administer criminal justice and law enforcement.

 

[justmestace]

What I find disgusting is how quick people are to assume the worst. Read rhe whole thread. Disney did not make a decision to leave, a person did, the captain of the ship and/or port athorities. Did the captain know about the incident and investigation? We dont know. Did he decide to leave in attmpt to protect Disney? i seriouly doubt it. And speculating that he did is pure conjecture. What is disgusting is the assualt. There is no evidence that DCL did anything wrong. You can opine about what you think should have happened but you don't see all the cards....only an inconclusive video and what a reporter said. This happened over 2 hrs...the busiest 2 hrs of the cruise....just before departure during a safety dill and all the last minute logistics.

I understand people's knee jerk reaction as I had the sme reaction. But this is why we don't use lynch mobs to administer criminal justice and law enforcement.

But....it wasn't Costa or Carnival who crashed that ship, either. It was the stupid Captain, yet posts everywhere... not just here....were crucifying Carnival. What's the difference?

 

[ZoeBell]

What I find disgusting is how quick people are to assume the worst. Read rhe whole thread. Disney did not make a decision to leave, a person did, the captain of the ship and/or port athorities. Did the captain know about the incident and investigation? We dont know. Did he decide to leave in attmpt to protect Disney? i seriouly doubt it. And speculating that he did is pure conjecture. What is disgusting is the assualt. There is no evidence that DCL did anything wrong. You can opine about what you think should have happened but you don't see all the cards....only an inconclusive video and what a reporter said. This happened over 2 hrs...the busiest 2 hrs of the cruise....just before departure during a safety dill and all the last minute logistics.

I understand people's knee jerk reaction as I had the sme reaction. But this is why we don't use lynch mobs to administer criminal justice and law enforcement.

That's why authorities needed to be call in. Not Disney's law. This man should have come back to Florida to be arrested. Whether that be right then and there or a day later or a week later. But letting him off and shipping him back to his country(i.e. sweeping it under the rug) was the wrong decision.

What this man did or didn't do is besides the point. It's what Disney did when they had the evidence or supposed evidence in front of them. And yes this is on DISNEY. Everyone from the room steward to the captain to the toilet cleaner is a representative of Disney.

 

[Rogillio]

That's why authorities needed to be call in. Not Disney's law. This man should have come back to Florida to be arrested. Whether that be right then and there or a day later or a week later. But letting him off and shipping him back to his country(i.e. sweeping it under the rug) was the wrong decision.

What this man did or didn't do is besides the point. It's what Disney did when they had the evidence or supposed evidence in front of them. And yes this is on DISNEY. Everyone from the room steward to the captain to the toilet cleaner is a representative of Disney.

I disagree totally. I am not a lawyer but this whole thread is based on a lot of assumptions and conjecture. I personally don't believe anyone would intentionally cover up a child molestation to protect a corporation but that is what you et al are saying.

 

[Rogillio]

But....it wasn't Costa or Carnival who crashed that ship, either. It was the stupid Captain, yet posts everywhere... not just here....were crucifying Carnival. What's the difference?

Are you saying payback is harsh? 2 wrongs make a right?

In this case, we don't even know if the security officer told the captain prior to departure. They may have been at sea before the captain was notified and then maritime law dictates. And you do not go back to port, you turn the suspect over to authorities at the next port.

 

[ZoeBell]

I disagree totally. I am not a lawyer but this whole thread is based on a lot of assumptions and conjecture. I personally don't believe anyone would intentionally cover up a child molestation to protect a corporation but that is what you et al are saying.

I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying Disney had no authority to take it upon themselves to settle this manner they way they did. This supposed crime occurred in the US. Therefore Disney had the obligation to call the authorities and let them do their job.

Does the US gov't even know about this? Did the guy turn right around and go back to the US? Is he working for another cruise line?

What if this CM was accused of murder? Should Disney still have done what they did? People have been prosecuted for cruise crimes.

 

[honeymo78]

I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying Disney had no authority to take it upon themselves to settle this manner they way they did. This supposed crime occurred in the US. Therefore Disney had the obligation to call the authorities and let them do their job.

Does the US gov't even know about this? Did the guy turn right around and go back to the US? Is he working for another cruise line?

What if this CM was accused of murder? Should Disney still have done what they did? People have been prosecuted for cruise crimes.

Florida police were notified the day after the incident. It does not appear that they launched their own investigation.

 

[Rogillio]

I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying Disney had no authority to take it upon themselves to settle this manner they way they did. This supposed crime occurred in the US. Therefore Disney had the obligation to call the authorities and let them do their job.

Does the US gov't even know about this? Did the guy turn right around and go back to the US? Is he working for another cruise line?

What if this CM was accused of murder? Should Disney still have done what they did? People have been prosecuted for cruise crimes.

Your premise is wrong.

NM. You've already made up your mind. I don't know when they concluded an assault had occurred and if the captain knew this before they left but apparently you do.

 

[cgolf]

Watching the report what amazed me was that the scumbag did this with the door open in a public area. In fact in the video you can see someone come down the steps as he is in the act.

Unfortunately for this girl no one decided to use the elevators so he could have been stopped. I am sickened by the brazenness this guy showed. Too bad they didn't bring him back.

Cgolf

 

[rhorsley]

Florida police were notified the day after the incident. It does not appear that they launched their own investigation.

The Bahamian police were notified the day after. The FL authorities were never given an opportunity to investigate since he was returned to India.

 

[rhorsley]

Also, there are Cameras in the elevator. They were likely not released in order to protect the victim who is also a minor.

 

[Wadekind]

I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying Disney had no authority to take it upon themselves to settle this manner they way they did. This supposed crime occurred in the US. Therefore Disney had the obligation to call the authorities and let them do their job.

Does the US gov't even know about this? Did the guy turn right around and go back to the US? Is he working for another cruise line?

What if this CM was accused of murder? Should Disney still have done what they did? People have been prosecuted for cruise crimes.

Your premise is wrong.

NM. You've already made up your mind. I don't know when they concluded an assault had occurred and if the captain knew this before they left but apparently you do.

The first person it was reported to should have called the local authorities as well as their own chain of command.
If DCL has a policy or a work culture in place that prevents this from happening it is for one reason only and that is to keep it in house until they have had time to do damage control.
If someone came to me to say their daughter had been molested my very first call would have been to the local police not my supervisor or in house security.
Crimes and accusations are reported to the police. PERIOD. Unless you are the police and the local prosecutor you have no authority to decide if an accusation has merit.
DCL screwed this one up. There is never an excuse to delay reporting something like this.