A 20-year-old Velezuelan man is accused of groping an 8-year-old boy on a ride at Disney World, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Arturo Benitez-Pita was placed under arrest Saturday. Orange County deputies responded to Epcot about 8 p.m. and spoke to the mother of the victim.
She said her family was in line for the Test Track ride when a large group in front of them told her they could go ahead.
She and her son were seated with Arturo Benitez-Pita for the ride. According to the mom, Benitez-Pita continually remarked how “beautiful” her son was, an arrest affidavit says.
During the ride, Benitez-Pita allegedly put his arm across the child’s chest as if to protect him and also put his hand on the boy’s knee, the report said.
He then put his hand on the boy’s groin area, and the mother swatted his hand away, according to the report.
She called deputies after the ride ended, the affidavit said.
Benitez-Pita said any inappropriate touching was accidental. He also wrote the boy a note asking for forgiveness, according to the affidavit.
Benitez-Pita was arrested on a lewd and lascivious molestation charge and is being held at the Orange County Jail on a $10,000 bond.