A former Disney Cruise Line “youth host” is set to face trial this month over allegations that he fondled a young guest while working onboard the Disney Magic, according to the Miami Herald.
24 year-old Oliver Lovatt, of Manchester, England, was arrested earlier this year, and was charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious battery on children under the age of 16. Lovatt’s trial is scheduled to begin October 28th in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
According to a police report, Lovatt worked in the ship’s Oceaneer Lab, an activity center that serves children ages 3-12. Detectives claim that back in April, while at sea, Lovatt placed a blindfold on a 10 year-old boy several times as a part of a game. During that time, according to the Miami-Dade police arrest report, he allegedly “fondled the victim’s penis outside of the clothing.” The victim then claims that Lovatt sat next to him as he attempted to build a house of cards. As he moved “his hand towards him,” the boy allegedly covered his genitals for fear Lovatt may fondle him a second time. It was then, according to the arrest report, that “the defendant proceed to place his hand over the victim’s hand, attempting to fondle his penis again.”
Police say the event was captured on security cameras, and Lovatt “confessed to fondling” the boy.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office is currently appealing to the public in an attempt to find any more potential victims. “We hope if there are any other victims out there, that they contact our office,” the office said in a statement.
In a statement, Disney Cruise Line spokeswoman Kim Prunty said that the company has “zero tolerance for this type of unacceptable behavior.” Prunty added, “when we became aware of the allegation, it was reported to law enforcement and the crew member was removed from duty permanently.”
Lovatt remains in jail while awaiting his trial.
