'Tigger' arrested on molestation charges

[chesirechik]

Costumed character at Disney World charged with fondling girl, mother.

By Anthony Colarossi | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted April 2, 2004, 3:01 PM EST


Orange County Sheriff's Office investigators have arrested a Walt Disney World employee who worked as the character "Tigger" and charged him with molesting a 13-year-old girl and her mother while posing with them for pictures in February.

Michael Chartrand, 36, was charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child between 12 and 15 years old and one count of simple battery.

He was booked into the Orange County Jail today on a $2,500 bond.

A Disney spokeswoman said Chartrand has been suspended without pay.

The sheriff's office received a complaint that a costumed character at Disney World had touched a girl and her mother inappropriately while their pictures were being taken with the character Feb. 21. According to an incident report, Chartrand fondled the breasts of the girl and the mother while posing for pictures at the Magic Kingdom's Toon Town.

"As the photo was being taken, [the victim] claims that Tigger moved his right hand up to her right breast and started massaging it several times," the incident report states. [The victim] became very embarrassed and ashamed of the incident and claims that she did not say anything to her mother until they left the park."

Later, the girl learned that the costumed character had done the same thing to her mother with his left hand, the report says.

The girl and her father reported the incident on Feb
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-bk-tigger040204,0,396560.story?coll=orl-home-headlines



I can't believe it! - Also, if this happened while the picture was being taken, I wonder if it's on the photo?

 

[Hillbeans]

I know it's not funny, but i'm laughing so hard right now.

I wonder if it's true. How will they prove this?

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by Hillbeans
I know it's not funny, but i'm laughing so hard right now.

I wonder if it's true. How will they prove this?

I guess if they have the photo, that would prove it.

 

[mickeyboat]

Did you see the picture of the guy>? That's not what I imagined would be under the Tigger suit.

That's horrendous to have something like that happen!

Denae

 

[KathyTX]

Hmmm... sounds like a Chipmunk complaint we saw here recently...

 

[MICKEY88]

why did they wait 8 days to file a complaint...

 

[SideshowBob]

Was shocked once when SSB witnessed a woman joking around with Goofy, and she asked Goofy how old he was, and he indicated a 6, then a 9 .... !!

 

[Tina]

That's what I thought, too Denae!! How creepy!!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Yikes to SSB... maybe they go a little bonkers inside that costume.. ACK!!!!

 

[Hillbeans]

I'm just very surprised at this, because when we were in toon town fair, there were CM's right there with you next to the Tigger. If this person did this, that's a pretty bold move. Perhaps he just moved his hand the wrong way? I'm sure sometimes people get touched with a piece of costume but it's not an actual hand or body part that's touching you, just a piece of the costume??

 

[MosMom]

He has a big plush mitt on his hand and can't see very well. So he is trying to put his arms around these two for a picture...I can see touching boob with big giant tigger hands and poor vision. I think I've been touched before but I always assumed it was an accident.

Maybe I was really molested, I should file suit!

 

[tiggersmom2]

MTE MosMom!

 

[maleficent1959]

DH has had his butt grabbed by Mickey twice. Well, I guess not grabbed given how large those hands are but at least touched. We didn't think it was a big deal since it was hard to see and maneuver around him for pictures.

 

[ValerieK]

He looks scary! But then again I have never seen a good mug shot.

I do wonder if it was unintentional. Those mits are pretty big. I wonder how long he has worked for WDW.

Mickey goosed Dh one year! Dh thought it was funny.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

it was on these boards.

There was a very distraught mother telling her story because WDW mgmt was of no help to her at all. It got to the point where the father (who works with law enforcement) had to call the local police to get any real complaint filed...they had to arrange their own return to FL to pursue the case.

The police report stated that the culpret was a fairly new employee at WDW.

If this is that DIS family, I pray you quick resolution.
If not, WDW is going to have BIG issues regarding characters & their "handling."

 

[Dax]

LOL....the person playing Mickey must have thought your hubby was a hottie....Mickey is typically played by woman as it is a small costume...

Just look at the legs and arms...it will give it away..

Plus my DH worked for WDW for a week or so, and was in the utilidor and saw Mickey headless.. Said it ruined it for him...but now he is eager to pose with Mickey....hmmm

 

[my3kids]

That is one scary looking guy in the suit! Eeeuuwww.

My friend's drunk husband grabbed Minnie's boob. She didn't press charges.

 

[Lucky4me]

How can they feel anything through those huge furry paws?
I can see him putting his arms around them both and rubbing their arms, possibly grazing their breasts. I think it's sue happy people who are doing this, seriously.

If people start getting paid off in these cases, everyone will be claiming it happened to them and the characters will no longer be able to interact with guests. It makes me sick.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm a little surprised by some of the reactions. I'm all against people people being sue happy really but this could very well be true and shouldn't be so easily dismissed.

IMHO, it's not funny. It's sad whether true or not.

I'm not sure why so many here think it's just not possible.

Yeah, they have a big costume on but it still could have happened.

When I read the article, it made me sick to my stomach. I would LOVE for it not to be true, but if it is, it's very very sad.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I just looked at some old pictures of Tigger and his hands aren't much bigger than someone wearing mittens.