Disney Cruise Ship Staff Allegedly Molested Child Passenger On Board, Faces Trial

A Disney cruise employee who worked as Disney Youth Host and arrested for sexually fondling a child onboard a Disney ship will be facing trial by the end of October.

Oliver Lovatt, 24, was arrested in May for incidents that happened in April this year. The accusations include lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12, per the police report.

Currently, Lovatt is housed at the Miami-Dade jail without bail and trial will start on Oct. 28.

According to cruise news, Lovatt fondled the boy over his clothing aboard the Disney ship, Magic. Insiders said while at sea in April, Lovatt blindfolded the boy as part of the game and then “fondled the victim’s penis outside of the clothing.”

During another game, Lovatt sought to sit near the child and moved his hand toward him. The petrified boy tried to cover himself “fearing that Lovatt would fondle” him again.

But the defendant tried to place his hand over the victim’s hand while “attempting to fondle his penis again,” the arrest report by David Suarez, a Miami-Dade Detective noted.

Police said Lovatt has “confessed to fondling” the boy. The ship's surveillance system captured all these incidents.

Making a statement on the matter, Disney said it reported the matter to law enforcement and the crew member was removed from duty permanently. Disney added that it has “zero tolerance for this type of unacceptable behavior.”

But this Disney cruise 2019 incident was not reported earlier in the media.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said there might be other child abuse victims among the passengers traveling under cruise deals and urged them to come forward and contact its office.

The police report said Lovatt was employed at the “Oceaneer Kids Lab” aboard the Disney Magic to offer “imaginative themed activities and games” for kids between the ages of 3 and 12.

Lovatt profile says he was an actor, singer, dancer, and choreographer. The man from Manchester, England also had training at The Arden School of Theatre in Manchester. He was also a child actor in his hometown.

Lovatt’s lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, Disney Cruise’s 2021 schedule is out. In early 2021, Disney Cruise Line will return to New Orleans for a limited time with sailings to the Bahamas and Caribbean, and cruises to tropical destinations originating from Florida, Texas, and California.

The Disney Wonder will return to the bayou by February 2021.

There will be two five-night cruises to the Western Caribbean from New Orleans. The voyage will visit Progreso, Mexico, where ancient Mayan ruins and hidden swimming holes filled with a crystal-clear water are part of the attractions.

Guests sailing from New Orleans will also experience the great food of the Big Easy onboard the Disney Wonder at Tiana's Place restaurant.