Bond denied for accused water park molestor

ORANGE COUNY Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A judge denied bond for a 29-year-old man accused of molesting a child at Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon on Thursday. Orange County Sheriff's Office Sex Crimes Detectives arrested David Eugene Thomas, of Mountlake Terrace, Washington, charging him with one count of lewd molestation. The victim is a 13 year old boy.

“One of the victim's father witnessed what was going on, and the lifeguard on duty also witnessed what was going on,” said Orange County Sgt. Rich Mankewich.

Before a judge on Friday, it was revealed that Thomas told investigators that he was just “curious” and that touching boys at a local water park was an “experiment.” But detectives said this is not the first time.

Investigators said Thomas was visiting Florida, accompanied by a 15-year-old boy who lives with Thomas in Washington. The 15-year-old, who is apparently not related to Thomas, told deputies that he has been victimized by Thomas for the past five years.
“I also have concerns that you are in the company of a 15 year old boy while you were down here,” said the judge.

According to Orange County detectives, Thomas had no criminal record before his travels to Orlando, yet just one day after his arrest for touching the 13-year-old boy, Thomas was charged with sexually battery on his 15-year-old travel companion.

Detectives said the boy was in Thomas' care. The teen went to live with him after the boy’s mother said her son was having trouble in school.

“Mr. Thomas was roommates with the mom for a long period of time, so she was obviously comfortable with him so she just allowed his son to live with him for the past year,” said Sgt. Mankewich. “It first happened when he was 10 years old. It was definitely a grooming period. You start small and he ends up working his way up to what happened here,” Mankewich added.

The mother told police that she knew nothing about the allegations of abuse. The teen is in the custody of the state. The Florida department of children and families will not allow his release to his mother in Washington, because there are too many unanswered questions about their arrangement.

Investigators said Thomas molested the boy in a tide pool area of the park, and believe there could be more victims. Detectives said Thomas admitted to the inappropriate contact with one of the boys at the park. He could face additional charges once the investigation is complete.