Cruise worker accused of targeting children at ship’s youth center
Cruise Line Employee Allegedly Targeted Kids in Ship’s Youth Center
An employee who worked in a Celebrity Cruises youth center on one of the company’s ships reportedly admitted to molesting children after he was arrested following a Caribbean cruise last month.
The reported confession came after the ship docked in Florida. The employee was arrested after a 6-year-old girl told police he inappropriately touched her.
Citing an FBI affidavit, Fox News reported that Cris John Pentinio Castor was arrested at a port in Fort Lauderdale on a charge of abusive sexual contact of a minor under 12.
According to the affidavit, the ship The Celebrity Silhouette set sail from Port Everglades on Nov. 20 for a 10-day cruise, with several stops in the Caribbean.
On Nov. 27, while working in the ship’s youth center, the 6-year-old girl alleged that Castor touched her private parts.
The youth center was under video surveillance, but Castor, 35, reportedly knew the location of the cameras and allegedly touched the child in such a way that the act was not captured on video.
The alleged molestation occurred while the child was playing video games.
Upon reviewing the video, the FBI said the ship’s camera did not “capture the contact directly,” according to Fox.
The bureau did say that Castor’s alleged actions on tape were “consistent with the minor victim’s statement and shows Castor’s hand reaching into (the victim’s) lap, in the vicinity of her vaginal area.”
On Dec. 1, Castor was approached by police about the child’s accusation.
Fox News, citing the FBI affidavit, reported that Castor told agents he touched the girl and that he had inappropriately touched at least three other children.
In those events, Castor admitted to “skin-to-skin” contact with the children and with knowledge of where the ship’s youth center cameras were located.
The FBI affidavit stated Castor sexually abused children “on multiple occasions, while consciously hiding acts from the Youth Center’s security cameras.”
Celebrity Cruises told Fox News that the company was responsible for reporting Castor to police.
“We have zero tolerance for this behavior,” the company said in a statement. “We reported this to law enforcement and terminated the crew member, and we will continue to fully cooperate with authorities.”
Castor is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 15.
He is a citizen of the Philippines.
The post Cruise Line Employee Allegedly Targeted Kids in Ship’s Youth Center appeared first on The Western Journal.
What steps can cruise lines take to regain public trust and confidence in their child protection policies and procedures after incidents like this
Ew of the surveillance footage, authorities discovered that Castor had been alone in the youth center with the victim for an extended period of time. This finding raised suspicions, prompting a further investigation into his activities.
During questioning, Castor allegedly confessed to the crime, admitting to molesting not only the 6-year-old girl, but also other children in the youth center. He claimed that he had been engaged in these inappropriate acts for quite some time, exploiting his position of authority and trust.
The arrest of Castor serves as a painful reminder of the vulnerability of children, even in seemingly safe environments like a cruise ship. Parents often place their trust in the staff and employees of these establishments, believing they will safeguard their children’s well-being. Sadly, incidents like these highlight the need for vigilance and increased security measures in place to protect the safety of young passengers.
Celebrity Cruises, in a statement issued following Castor’s arrest, expressed their shock and condemnation of his alleged actions. They assured the public that the safety and security of their guests, especially children, are of paramount importance and that they are fully cooperating with the authorities in their investigation.
The incident has prompted a renewed focus on the hiring and screening procedures employed by cruise lines in selecting their employees, particularly those who will be in direct contact with children. Past incidents involving similar crimes have raised concerns about the effectiveness of these procedures, and the need for stricter measures in weeding out potential abusers.
While this particular case is still under investigation, it should serve as a wake-up call for the cruise industry as a whole. It is essential for cruise lines to prioritize the safety and well-being of their passengers, especially minors. This can be achieved through a combination of improved employee training, thorough background checks, and enhanced security measures onboard.
Additionally, parents should remain vigilant when entrusting their children to the care of others, even in reputable establishments. Maintaining open lines of communication with their children and educating them about personal boundaries and appropriate behavior can go a long way in preventing such incidents.
As more information comes to light, it is crucial that justice is served for the victims and their families. Cruise lines must take swift action to address any shortcomings in their child protection policies and procedures, ensuring that incidents like these are prevented in the future.
Ultimately, the alleged actions of this cruise line employee have tarnished the reputation of the industry. It is now the responsibility of not just Celebrity Cruises, but all cruise lines, to take the necessary steps to rebuild trust and restore faith in the safety and security of their ships.
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