Tigger Accused Of Hitting Teen

Disney World Officials Suspend Actor Who Plays Character

(CBS)  When the Monaco family traveled from New Hampshire to Florida all they wanted was a nice time at Disney World. Instead, they say, one of their sons got a punch on the head from the loveable Winnie the Pooh character, Tigger.

Home video footage shows Jerry Monaco Jr. standing next to Tigger, played by Michael J. Fedelem, as the family posed with the character Saturday. Then the character appears to smack the teen in the face.

"I attempted to get in a shot with Tigger when he stuck his arm out and I figured the photographer could get a shot with two little guys," father Jerry Monaco told The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm. "At that point he started bumping into me and I apologized and I figured it was hot out and give him some space. At that point I backed off and went to take some home video of the rest of the family and, out of nowhere, he sucker-punched my son."

Now an investigation is underway. A spokeswoman says park officials have temporarily suspended the employee while they investigate the accusations. In a statement, Disney World said: "We received the complaint alleging that a character struck a guest; guest and character altercation is not tolerated. The Orange County sheriff is launching an investigation and we are conducting our own investigation and we have suspended the cast member pending the outcome."

Monaco said that before he tried to take a photo Tigger appeared irritated when a little girl attempted to get an autograph.

"So at that point he's waving and got his pen," Monaco said. "I didn't know what was going on. I figured out that it wasn't on a clear sheet of paper, he couldn't sign it. So I thought, 'No big deal.' Then my family came up, they were two or three people behind them. That's when this whole thing took place."

Monaco took his son to the hospital that night after he woke up with a pain in his neck.

"I'm a little sore and most of the pain is gone because I have medicine," Jerry Monaco Jr. said.

The family's attorney, Mark Morsch, said the family wants an apology from the park and from the actor who played Tigger.

"It was their dream to come to Disney," Morsch said. "They were looking forward to it and had no idea they would be in a situation where Tigger was going to hit their son."

[luvsnow]

It looks like he is doing something to tigger, and tigger is just trying to get away from him. It does not look like tigger is hitting him at all.

[snkecip41]

Granted the "character" should have kept its (paws) to itself, however I have to wonder also, did the young man step on his tail, everyone knows tigger bounces around on his tail and its probably very sensitive! Or was he just being "catty" and having a bad day, you know how "cats" can be unpredictable! I hope their "family atty" doesnt blow this out of proportion. Some attys will make a "mountain out of a mole hill"! I agree the employee should be reprimanded, written up, or in his case "caged"! But it could have been far worse, he could have been at the Zoo and gotten "slapped" by a real tiger....I dont even want to think what he would have looked liked afterwards, but I can tell you this, he wouldn't have been sent home w/painkillers a few hours later and appearing the next morning on GMA with "minor soreness"! Hopefully Disney apologizes and give free passes to the young man and his family, and tigger learns to keep his "paws" to himself! Bad tiger, bad, bad tiger!

[snipdawgmom]

It does not look like Tigger struck him on purpose at all - give the poor guy/girl their job back. I am sure it is hard to move around in the costume as well as judge how close someone is to you while you are turning. Hopefully the son is not made fun of when he returns to school... how embarrassing for the son!

[snipdawgmom]

P.S. Gave me a good laugh for a Monday morning... the family is a little uptight if you ask me... I feel really bad for the son ... making a big issue on NATIONAL TELEVISION... I hope Tigger gets his job back... too funny!

It looks like the kid was trying to mess with tigger's head, and tigger grabbed his
arm, making himself and the boy to lose their balance. He did not punch him, it was just a
reaction from losing his balance. The kid and parent are just a pair a geeks trying to
score some cash. His dad said he took him to the hospital for injuries sustained in the
incident, ARE YOU KIDDING? When asked on the news this morning about the pain, the kid
said he wasn't in much pain because of the medicine he was given. This kid is a big
p***Y!!! This is definitly a case of"sueitis"

[mrsmutzie]

My first reaction was why are these people getting airtime. Rediculous. With that said, the kid was clearly trying to do something behind Tiggers back. You can see him reaching. Also, the kids "choir boy" look during the interviewe is very different from the kid in the video wearing a leather glove and waste adornment. Get real - Tigger should be the one getting the lawyer.

[amandarc]

It looks like Tigger just lost his balance, or he's trying to push the kid away (hand behind Tigger's back, maybe he yanked on the costume). Not to mention the fact that this supposedly innocent child strikes right back with a blow to Tigger's face. I can't believe this is even news.

[antoniof123]

Those outfits are very hot and hard to move around in. The poor employee does not make much money and then to be treated like that. Just look up how many lawsuites are made against Disney. This family should be ashamed. They will get what they deserve the sad part is Disney is not responsible for this.

[khansmeier]

THIS IS NEWS?!?! Typical light-weight, liberal news from a declining News Organization bent on "creating" a culture of manufactured ills.

[khansmeier]

THIS IS NEWS?!?! Typical light-weight, liberal news from a declining News Organization bent on "creating" a culture of manufactured ills.

[olebd]

OH PLEEEZE!!! This little nerd was in no way injured. It's clear that scum, jr. was doing something back there, Tigger turns and accidently catches him on the jaw. The little *** then starts laughing.

Way to set an example for the kids wimpy dad!!!!

[kavien2]

Okay, first off, this stupid kid didn't just randomly get hit. I used to work as a costumed character for Disney World in Orlando. The Tigger costume has a tail that is attached by a belt at the waist. It has a large metal plate that rest against your back and spine. This kid OBVIOUSLY pulled Tigger's tail, knocking him off balance and probably injuring him. The Tigger needs to sue and confront the father for an apology.

[kiwibugster1]

I cannot even begin to believe that the Early Show even gave airtime to these people. I was wondering if I was alone in my thoughts and came on here to see if other people felt the sme way: that the father and son are nothing other than scum seeking publicity, money and 15 minutes of fame! This little punk(as someone else wrote) is clearly not the same kid from the early show airing. He was up to no good behind Tigger's back because Tigger jumped in suprise! And if this kid was really hurt(oh please)-he is even more pathetic than I thought. What kind of people would bring this sort of attention to Disney? Are other little kids going to be afraid of Tigger now? These people need to get a life and apologize to everyone they put out! And as for the father-what a lousy role model for is child.....

[czyzracer952]

Like most of the people that have commented, I can tell from the dads own home movie tigger was loseing his balance+wasnt trying to hit the kid. Tigger should be sueing the kid/dad for all the trouble.The (punk) ie (lifestyle) kid caused him.Too many people today are that way trying to get something for nothing like a burgler who breaks into your house hurts himself then trys to sue you!!

[poseidon2006-2009]

These people are out to get money! SCAM!!! Tigger did not hit the kid, he's is pushing him away and his vision is not that great! As you can see in the video the kid is doing something with his hand behind tiggers back... probably messing with his head, zipper, or anything else. Tigger is trying to get him away... it's an innocent push! So, many people get hurt in these costumes everyday at Disney and the guests think it's funny to mess around with them! He's just defending himself and his safety! Again, I say this family is samming for money and if Disney caves in, then more families will do this in the future!

[poseidon2006-2009]

These people are out to get money! SCAM!!! Tigger did not hit the kid, he's is pushing him away and his vision is not that great! As you can see in the video the kid is doing something with his hand behind tiggers back... probably messing with his head, zipper, or anything else. Tigger is trying to get him away... it's an innocent push! So, many people get hurt in these costumes everyday at Disney and the guests think it's funny to mess around with them! He's just defending himself and his safety! Again, I say this family is samming for money and if Disney caves in, then more families will do this in the future!

[poseidon2006-2009]

These people are out to get money! SCAM!!! Tigger did not hit the kid, he's is pushing him away and his vision is not that great! As you can see in the video the kid is doing something with his hand behind tiggers back... probably messing with his head, zipper, or anything else. Tigger is trying to get him away... it's an innocent push! So, many people get hurt in these costumes everyday at Disney and the guests think it's funny to mess around with them! He's just defending himself and his safety! Again, I say this family is samming for money and if Disney caves in, then more families will do this in the future!

[soovee-2009]

First, kudos to Hannah Storm for keeping a straight face during the "Monaco Family vs Tigger" interview. Second, shame on that father for using his family in order for him to have his 15 minutes of fame. And last, but not least, CBS should seriously rethink what constitutes news and what does not - this certainly was not worthy of a major morning t.v. spot. The Monaco family should just head back to New Hampshire and try to put this embarrassment behind them!

[paviewer]

I couldn't believe this when I saw it. The kid clearly had ahold of something behind tigger and was laughing about it. Even after tigger tried to get him to let go, he was laughing. I have been to Disney multiple times and their characters/employeess have always been spectacular. This father should be ashamed by what he is teaching that kid. Look at the way the kid was dressed and how he swung right back at Tigger. I think the kid and his dad both need counseling and isn't it amazing how quickly he came up with an attorney....

[diannai30]

This is such nonsense! It is so clear that this kid was trying to mess with tigger's costume. I cannot understand why you would devote so much time to this when there are other stories you could be covering. As for the family, when their 15 seconds of fame is over and they waste their own hard earned money in lawyer fees and get nothing, I want them to feel very embarrased!!! I hope the people in their community let them know how dumb they are. Disney - don't give them anything!!!

[toymasterq]

MY QUESTION IS WHERE'S THE AUDIO!?!?!?! CANT HEAR WHAT SR AND JR MIGHT HAVE SAID? BUT ALSO LOOK AT THE KID DURING INTERVIEW THIS KID HAS GUILT WRITTEN ALL OVER HIS FACE, CUZ HE KNOWS HE PUT HIS ARM UP BEHIND TIGGER, AND EITHER PULLED HIS TAIL, GRABBED THE COSTUME ZIPPER OR PUT HIS HAND UNDER THE MASK THE REATION IS A ONE ARMED DEFENSIVE MOVE, BY LOCKING HIS ARM IN PLACE AND PUSHING HIM AWAY. JR LOOKS LIKE HE'S LAUGHING CUZ HE GOT CAUGHT.THE ORANGE COUNTY POLICE SHOULD CHECK AND SEE HOW OFTEN JR GETS INTO @ HOME. DURING THE INTERVIEW JR KEPT HIS EYES AWAY FROM THE CAMERA NOT EVEN WHEN SHE WAS TALKIN TO HIM FOR A SECOND OR TWO, LIKE HE KNEW SOMETHING WASNT RIGHT, OR AFRAID TO TELL THE TRUTH.THIS IS ONE MAJOR SCAM!!! TIGGER WAS FINE WITH SR'S OTHER KIDS UNTIL JR SHOWED UP AND GOT CAUGHT. COPS SHOULD CHECK IF THE MONACOS' WENT TO THE HOSPITAL THAT NIGHT? A FEW DAYS LATER? OR AFTER THEY GOT HOME? THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW LAWSUIT HAPPY PEOPLE HAVE BECOME, AND HOW THE MEDIA MAKES EVERYTHING BIGGER AND "MAKES A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLE HILL"

[rmonroe401]

What a joke, tigger barely touched the kid. Dirtbag opportunists. I hope they don't get a dime. It is obvious by the video the kid was messing around with tigger and the hit seemed pretty innocent. It would make me ill if this family gets any money from Disney. They should be arrested for filing a false police report in my opinion!

[billhec7491]

I Think this is a BUNCH of BS. Shame on the media for making such a big deal.

[supermanjay1]

WOW! what can i say.. I am outraged at the family! Obviously that child was doing something behind tigers back. He obviously was holding on to Tiger. When tiger pushed him away the child's hand hardly moved. I have been to Disney Hundreds of times and have plenty of friends who work for the company. I know of many cast members who have been injured. It is sad that this family has nothing better to do than to try to scam money from the company.. And now They have involved a harmless cast member who was OBVIOUSLY protecting himself. And now he is suspended losing money and God only knows what else he is going though.. This is pathetic and sad.. I hope this family wakes up and or moves on.. They just don't realize who's all lives they are affecting..
I pray they will Grow up and Not be so selfish and ridiculous.

[tamistueve]

I totally agree. Dad is just out to squeeze some money out of Disney. I PRAY that Disney does not give in to this extortion!!!
They should be banned from every Disney park for the rest of their lives!!!!
Wish we could start an online petition to Disney reps to give the guy his job back to not pay the jerky Dad.

To Mr. Monaco: You should be ashamed of yourself!

[vtresch]

I am shocked at the coverage you are giving this ridiculous incident. Next CBS will be airing stories with video of superficial car accidents that occupants claim neck injury on. Pretty low to attack ABC parent company with this dramatized video. Tigger was obviously just playing the role with a kind of cat like pawing. Too bad the kid was so weak and frail that this caused him pain. What a joke - did his glasses even come off from the "sucker punch"? Quick, CBS, aren't there some ambulances your staff could chase? Lower than low. I hope Tigger and Disney sue you and the family.

[soflguy1]

GOLD DIGGERS....Laughable

[soflguy1]

HAVE THAT BOY STERLIZED

[ecuadoriana]

It's so clear that the kid's holding onto the back of the Tigger costume. It's also clear that the kid has a big grin on his face as Tigger is trying to pull away, the kid still grins even as Tigger slaps him, not "Sucker punch" as the dad tries to claim, & the kid still holds on. Interesting that the video doesn't show what happened after- they just keep looping the same scene. Another thing, this mumble mouth kid can't even answer the reporter's question about how he feels- because money grubbing dad is doing all the talking. It is sick how fast they ran out to get a lawyer! And, despite what the dad said, Tigger did not "Sucker punch" the kid- the kid was slapped.

[valerievanek]

HOW ABSURD!!!! I am tired of people not realizing how difficult it is as a Disney cast member and taking their anger out on us!! How DARE this family think that this Tigger purposefully hit their son. Quite honestly, what was the son doing to Tigger? I've "seen" Pluto have his tongue pulled so hard by a guest that he had to go to the hospital because his neck was strained. But did Pluto sue that family? REALLY! GROW UP AND MOVE ON YOU LIARS! Disney is made for dreams...not people who are looking for trouble! I'm sorry I should watch my manners... for my stepmother is calling and as for you... don't eat any apples!

[plmgood]

What a joke! The kid was NOT sucker punched as the dad claims. The video clearly shows Tigger unbalanced and barely nudging the brat in the face, all the while that brat is grinning. Money grubbing white trash and I am white.

[phlipster]

America's new favorite pasttime - not baseball but lawsuits. I'm tired of people trying to get wealthy on something other than their own merit. Even gambling is better than this nonsense.

[bruce1129]

HAHA! LOOKS TO ME LIKE THAT KID WAS PULLING ON HIS COSTUME OR SOMETHING, BUT THAT'S DEFINITELY NOT TIGGER JUST PLAYING! THE GUY IN THE TIGGER SUIT PUTS THAT KID IN A SHOULDER LOCK IF YOU PAY ATTENTION, IT'S LIKE A BEGINNER'S MARTIAL ARTS MOVE.......WHAT A JOKE THO! NECK PAIN MY ARSE! THAT WAS LIKE A LOVE TAP TO THE CHEEK. TOTAL BS! FRIVOLOUS LAWSUIT! WHAT A CROCK OF SHATNER!

[pared1]

If I were Tigger I would of smacked the father as well. There's something very fishy about that family.


They are friggin goofy.

[hurlez]

A branch blew into my face harder than that- maybe I should sue God?

[mnagreco]

Is everyone crazy!!!It is so obvious that the boy did something to Tigger to provoke him!! True Tigger should NOT have pushed the kid but it looks like a reaction to some sort of pain!!! That family is ridicuous and out to get their 15 minustes of fame for the wrong reasons. Everyone should feel sorry for that family. What values are the parents teaching their children. Bad!!! I am appalled by this story! I hope Disney does not acknowledge this farce at all!!

[ejr0087]

It looks like the kid was either tuging at Tigger's costume or pinching him and all Tigger was trying to do was either get the kid to stop or he lost his balance turning around. And a Sucker Punch? I don't think the little slap with a padded glove was a sucker punch, nor intentional... If the kid was so hurt, why is he still grinning after it happened? And where is the footage afterwards? I don't think they have a case... Pathetic excuse for 15 minutes of fame. I'm on Tigger's side. P.S. the dad needs to get sucker punched so he can actually describe one!

[luvny-2009]

Sucker punched? What a joke...suck it up ya little mary. If they think that was a punch and that it injured him then maybe he'd better stay off the playground at school cause he'll get it worse there. Wait til he goes back to school and is the laughing stock there. It's all about the $...Sorry Tigger!

[kphx]

The kid was doing something behind the Tigger character and grinning all the while. From the footage it looks like Tigger is trying to get the kid off his back, in the process brushing his face with his soft paw. The crazy kid was not trying to get his hands off either. He is acting like a smart-***.

As some one suggested, the facther should be sucker-punched, to let home know, what a sucker-punch is. What a lousy bunch of people. Shameless to bring it up to national news trying to make some easy money. First they would ask for an apology. Once they get that, they will go for the money based on it. Lousy family.

[luvny-2009]

I just watched the video again after reading some of the comments...you guys are so right...he had a hold of the back of Tiggers costume, when Tigger reached around you could see they were BOTH off balance cause the kid didn't let go. He was probably being a wise a$$. Also noticed the clothes the kid had on ..stupid black glove and something hanging off his pants. Intesting when Hannah asked him a question he couldn't answer about his pain. Too bad Tigger can't make it right and show him what it's really like to get sucker punched as his father called it.

[thistletop]

I can't believe CBS would actually air such a sham. I don't think this father should get any money from a lawsuit and definately not "Father of the year" Shame Shame

[ajaxrose1]

I watched it with an open mind, and I have to tell you, that kid is an A-1 butt wipe and so are his parents. It's like they've gone looking for a lawsuit. What's the matter? Spent money you didn't have on a trip you really couldn't afford? No wonder you have spoiled brats for kids. Losers.

[snkecip41]

I'm still laughing! Next thing you know Pooh will be accused of hitting someone with his jar of honey lets see that would be (blunt force trauma) and Eeyore would puncture someone with the stickpin that's holding his tail on, that would be listed as cruel & unusual punishment) Run for the nearest exit kiddos, Disney is harboring "dangerous" criminals! Let's see the family visit the Florida zoo and pose for pics by a real tiger, (then have Jr. pick with it) and let's see some "real footage"!!! Now that's Newsworthy! What a bunch of low-life losers, he should be the laughing-stock of the school when he gets back! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[kevboom]

File this one under "frivolous lawsuits to keep lawyers wealthy." I hope Disney counter-sues for defamation of Tigger's character. If you watch the video, the kid and the animal are obviously playing with one another and having a good time. These Monaco's are the worst kind of Americans... looking for a way to screw someone over for a payout. I hope they go down in flames.

[snkecip41]

Sorry had to comment one more time! These comments are making my FREAKING day! Hilarious! I can surpass a good comedy flick today, my ribs are still hurting from laughing so hard!Thanks "Monaco family" I guess this was your "knock-off) version of Chevy Chase "Family Vacation flick"! Only thing is "Chevy gets paid for his".....more than I can say for this family of losers" Keep the comments coming guys...keep them coming!

[downtowner97]

I have been to Disneyland many times over the years, and I recall that there was always a park security person very nearby when the entertainers were working to keep obnoxious teens away. I think if there had been about one more second of video, we would have seen a security person confronting that punk.

My dad, a very large man, dressed as smoky bear for a time. He said he wouldn't go anywhere in the suit without security.

I have a great deal of respect for the entertainers, and I know the park works hard to find people with the right personality to be cute, diplomatic, and patient while wearing a hot, blinding costume.

Give Tigger a raise for using such amazing restraint, and teach him or her to do another character until this blows over.

Kudos to CBS for your impartial coverage of this story that allows us to do what your name says: See BS.

[griffinsnest]

Definately a family of opportunist! Way to go there "dad"... you're teaching your son the art of the "get rich quick" scam. Shame, shame, shame!!! I would rather scrape by week to week than have a scam on my conscience and the world laughing at such a pathetic story. You know and the son know's too that he was not hurt especially enough to warrant a trip to the Hospital and "pain medicine" yeah right??? My children would disown me as their parent if I would embarass them like that. Of course, the dad and son both seemed "a couple of sandwiches short of a full picnic". If the truth really be known; the teen did something to Tigger that made him jerk around. Absolutely the most hidious story of 2007 thus far.

[waterandsand]

Ha,,, is this for real.. Poor kid is gonna get beat everyday for here on out when this gets out at school. Man i cant believe parents will stoop that low to get paid. With that accent he must be from jersey. Sucker punched? HAAAAAAAAAA

[jmic4]

Has anyone noticed Tigger's right arm trying to get Jr.s arm off of him first? Tigger is only trying to get Jr. off of his tail, or zipper, or whatever he is pulling on. The kid is holding on tight! Poor Tigger. That person in the Tigger costume needs a raise, not a suspension. The dad even admits that he had Tigger all agitated... and then he sends in Jr.? Jr. was just trying to make his dad proud by showing that he can **** Tigger off too! Disney should be embarrassed that they suspended Tigger, and CBS should be embarrassed that they would play only the selection of the tape that the family sent. What about the rest of the tape? Show the true story... the WHOLE true story!

[ssporleder]

You can tell by the video that the kid was up to something.
Let it go.