UPDATE (11/4/2019):
All charges have been dropped against Oliver Lovatt and on Monday, the state announced it was dropping the case, according to the Miami Herald.
- While the security cameras involved captured the incident, it was deemed by attorneys as “not conclusive on its own.” Lovatt “did not deny” a touch had happened, but attorneys added “any contact was accidental and would not admit any lewd intent.”
- According to a memo released on Monday, the case fell apart during the boy’s deposition on October 17th. The boy said the contact was less a grab than a “touch that lasted approximately one second” and that he couldn’t be sure it was intentional.
- The video apparently showed the defendant “Poking the victim” several times on the side of his waist, but prosecutors determined this could not prove any lewd or lascivious battery beyond a reasonable doubt. This was however, a violation of Disney Company policy.
- Lovatt rejected a plea deal of being charged with misdemeanor battery.
- According to the memo, the boy’s parents did not want to have to deal with the “difficult process” of traveling to Miami for the boy to testify. It was after this on Monday when the state announced it was dropping the case.
Previously:
A Disney Cruise Line Crew Member is headed to trial later this month after being accused of inappropriately touching a 10 year old passenger, according to WESH
What’s Happening:
- A “youth host” from Disney Cruise Line’s Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab is scheduled to go on trial later this month in Miami after he was accused of molesting a young boy during a cruise earlier this year aboard the Disney Magic.
- For those unfamiliar with the Disney Cruise Line offerings, The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are areas of the ship filled with interactive games and activities and creative fun for children ages 3-12.
- According to the report, Crew Member Oliver Lovatt, 24, was captured on surveillance cameras molesting a 10 year old boy twice while in the Oceaneer Lab section of the ship during a game.
- One of the reported incidents occurred while the child was blindfolded.
- Lovatt was arrested in May on two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12 after the alleged incident aboard the ship.
- According to prosecutors, the incident occurred in April, with the arrest in May and the trial is set to begin on October 28 in Miami-Dade County.
- Disney spokespeople are calling the incident “unacceptable behavior.”
What They’re Saying:
- Disney Spokesperson: “We have zero tolerance for this type of unacceptable behavior. When we became aware of the allegation, it was reported to law enforcement and the crew member was removed from duty permanently,"