Aman Bhatia, 27, is accused of fondling at least five teens at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Orange County deputies said.
One woman told deputies on July 3, she was in the wave pool with her children. As the waves crashed, she said Bhatia ran his hands over her stomach and chest, deputies said. The woman said she glared at him and notified her husband.
The woman said she then saw Bhatia position himself in front of another teen between the ages of 14 to 16. As the waves crashed, the teen began yelling, “Who grabbed my breasts?” deputies said.
Another teen told deputies she was in the wave pool with her friends when Bhatia grabbed her buttocks. She said if she moved one direction, Bhatia would follow. Once she got out of the pool, the teen said she saw Bhatia touch one of her friends when a wave crashed into them, according to the arrest report.
A fourth victim told deputies she was in the wave pool when Bhatia grabbed her waist from behind and pulled her towards him two times. She said she was able to break loose, but he grabbed her again until her friends were able to pull her away from Bhatia. The group then complained about the incident to their coordinator, deputies said.
Another teen said Bhatia pinched her left breast while they were in the wave pool. When Bhatia confronted the teen, he said, “Sorry,” the teen said to deputies.
In all, six people reported similar incidents involving Bhatia, deputies said.
The woman, her husband, along with several other men went to confront Bhatia and get a lifeguard, deputies said.
During questioning, Bhatia said he broke his glasses in the wave pool, put them in the locker and returned to the wave pool, deputies said. Bhatia said he bumped into several people in the wave pool and would apologize, but that he never intentionally touched the teens.
He said his vision was fuzzy since his glasses were broken and that he bumped into several people, according to deputies.
Bhatia has been charged with four counts of lewd lascivious molestation on a child over 12 years old, but under the age of 16, as well as two counts of battery.
Bhatia’s last known address is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Disney has banned Bhatia from ever visiting the theme park.
About the Author