Arrested Beast

[CPRoark]

Forgive me if this was already posted:

"Beauty's Beast at Disney's Magic Kingdom arrested for Child Porn"

(Can't post links...look at Fox news)

It's also under the headlines.

While you can't fault Disney (as he had no priors), I don't think he's going to get the support from fans that Tigger did. This seems pretty cut and dry (unless the pictures were planted...).

It's a shame that Disney is a target for this negative kind of press, but not unexpected when you are a large corporation that aims at kids.

 

[mitros]

The report is also posted on www.local6.com an Orlando station.

 

[traci]

This is so disturbing. Please move if this is not the right forum. I got this off Fox - I wasn't sure if I could post the link. Here is the story though.


Beauty's 'Beast' at Disney's Magic Kingdom Arrested for Child Porn
Friday, February 09, 2007

The man who plays the character Beast of "Beauty and the Beast" at Disney's Magic Kingdom has been arrested and charged with 51 counts of child pornography.

Matthew Wendland, 20, of Orlando, was arrested early Friday morning after his roommates tipped off authorities, according to FOX affiliate WOFL. He is charged with 51 counts of possessing material that depicts a child in sexual performance and is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

Sgt. Richard Mankewich of the Orange County Sheriff's Department said authorities are questioning Wendland about any possible inappropriate contact he might have had with children at the theme parks, WOFL reported. But officials have no evidence he has done anything directly to hurt children.

Mankewich said police they found evidence — at least 50 images of child pornography — inside a suitcase in Wendland's apartment.

Another local news station, WKMG, reported that authorities picked up Wendland at his work at Disney, where he was dressed as the Beast. Officers then went to his home. Mankewich told WKMG that the pictures are "extremely disturbing."

Authorities believe Wendland downloaded the images and did not take them himself, WKMG reported. A Disney official said Wendland has been suspended without pay.

Wendland also plays the character Goofy at Walt Disney World.

 

[raidermatt]

I don't think its that Disney is a "target" for this kind of press. The local6 article is even quick to point out that the guy had no priors, and that nobody could have known. They just got lucky a roommate happened to see the pictures.

Its just that it is newsworthy when somebody who works in that type of job for such a well known company ends up doing what he has been doing (assuming there's not more to it that we don't know).

 

[laceemouse]

There was another thread on this earlier today. It is sad, but no CM at Disney would ever have been allowed to be alone with any child. It will still fuel lots of rumors about how awful and unsafe WDW is.

 

[CPRoark]

I think we are saying the same thing. Happenings at large companies by their nature are newsworthy, positive or negative. In this case, a person who worked with children and was caught with child pornography AND happened to work at Disney World made the national news. Because Disney caters primarily to children, this is of interest to media outlets.

Anyway, again, I think we are saying the same thing. I don't mean to say that Disney is the sole "target" in stories like this. I'm sure if this guy worked at another theme park, or a children's clothing store, or was a teacher, it would be getting regional, if not national press.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I am really glad his roommates reported what they saw. It concerns me even more about the kids in the photos. That is just .
I heard on the TV last night that Wendland has an 18 year old gf, who he has a young child with. (16 month old I think they said.)
Sad all the way around.

 

[MAKmom]

This may be more of a local FL story I have not seen it on our Local new in Phila, Pa area.

 

[lauran cameron]

oh my god...what is wrong with people?!

 

[disjointed]

That's disgusting! I wonder, would doing background checks make any difference with problems with CMs (I'm aware that in this case, a background check wouldn't make a difference, I mean in general)? Maybe they should be more strict with their CMs, but how? I know Disney should do something, but what (if they can do anything)? I'm sure none of us want Disney's good name to be ruined by bad press, so something should be done!

 

[perdidochas]

That's disgusting! I wonder, would doing background checks make any difference with problems with CMs (I'm aware that in this case, a background check wouldn't make a difference, I mean in general)? Maybe they should be more strict with their CMs, but how? I know Disney should do something, but what (if they can do anything)? I'm sure none of us want Disney's good name to be ruined by bad press, so something should be done!

I bet they already do background checks. However, as you said, in this case a background check wouldn't help. It can only stop people who have been convicted, not those that haven't been caught.

In FL, my background check is done when I go on a school field trip with my sons (as is the background of any adult on campus, including the workmen who fix the roof).

 

[disjointed]

I bet they already do background checks. However, as you said, in this case a background check wouldn't help. It can only stop people who have been convicted, not those that haven't been caught.

In FL, my background check is done when I go on a school field trip with my sons (as is the background of any adult on campus, including the workmen who fix the roof).

I think they do too... Maybe there's no way to stop it? I mean, nobody can tell the future, and its not like they can just go into someone's house and search it... can they?