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."

[ecuadoriana]

Email CBS:

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

CONSUMER ALERT: Know of a scam that needs investigating? Tell us about it! Email us at:

[e-mail]
_________________

If this report & the Monaco fiasco isn't a scam, I don't know what is!!!

[ecuadoriana]

http://www.local6.com/download
/2007/0108/10698289.pdf

It is better to type this address dirsctly into your browser address, if you copy & paste it loses some of the forward slashes.

It is the orange county police report.

[ecuadoriana]

The address of the police report should appear on every pg. of this forum so everyone can have a chance to see it:

http://www.local6.com/download
/2007/0108/10698289.pdf
______________________________
I took a look at the pdf Orange County Incident Report #07-1766 dated 1/5/07 that HonestAbel posted. Everyone needs to read it!

It states in the last paragraph that:

"...the Tigger performer advised he had lost sight of his spotter during the photo shoot. He felt someone come up on his right side. The person then felt their arm over Tiggers shoulder pulling his costume back and knocking him off balance. The head portion of the costume pulled back making it hard for him to breathe so he left the area to get the costume adjusted."

This statement, by Tigger, was made BEFORE all this hit the air. It is clear that Tigger was being manhandled (or should I say "spoiled wise @ss brat handled"?) by someone he couldn't see.

In the report the father admits that it wasn't until AFTER he watched the tape did he see the "punch" to his son. Is this because his son wasn't complaining of any injury until later when his daddy suggested it?!

Check it out!
Posted by ecuadoriana at 09:28 AM : Jan 10, 2007

[ascaggs1]

Mr Jerry Manaco's son needs to go the Tigger School for Sissy's, school starts next week Jerry.

[texndoc]

I also am a first-timer here and had to register.

I would LOVE to contact the Disney Corp. and let them know if these scam artists receive ONE CENT in compensation, I and my family would never visit their theme-park again. The fact that they haven't informed the public that their poor worker in the costume hasn't been cleared and returned to his paying job is outrageous. It's not just CBS who should follow up here.

As for the Monaco family, LOL, I bet they're in their house with all the lights off and the shades pulled down by now. I already e-mailed their lawyer asking him to represent me because Tinkerbell won't sleep with me. Oh, I don't want money - "just an apology" and that shyster doesn't seem to have much else to do!

[texndoc]

I also am a first-timer here and had to register.

I would LOVE to contact the Disney Corp. and let them know if these scam artists receive ONE CENT in compensation, I and my family would never visit their theme-park again. The fact that they haven't informed the public that their poor worker in the costume hasn't been cleared and returned to his paying job is outrageous. It's not just CBS who should follow up here.

As for the Monaco family, LOL, I bet they're in their house with all the lights off and the shades pulled down by now. I already e-mailed their lawyer asking him to represent me because Tinkerbell won't sleep with me. Oh, I don't want money - "just an apology" and that shyster doesn't seem to have much else to do!

[capmfish69l]

I have to agree with the police officer's comment (wingnutinfla) This is just another fine example of the "MORALS & ETHICS" that these new wave of parents are teaching their children-How to get money or your way with out be accountable for your actions & it's obvious that CBS did their job now we will wait for the follow-up on such a horrible story of trying to extort money from one of our children's biggest dreams & I agree again with the police officer now the prices will go up for all of the hard working people that want to give their children a "Dream" vacation-STAND UP DISNEY & DONOT GIVE IN... Can't believe that New Hampshire has people of such derogatory demeaner!! always thought fine stock came from there-obviously I am wrong..

[sk8teguy]

First of all...CBS should be ashamed of itself for reporting this story in the manner they did. Where were the tough questions for this kid and his father? Also, the parents of this kid should be ashamed of themselves. What are they teaching their children? It is obvious this kid provoked the reaction, and are money hungry. It appears Tigger just tried to reach around to get the kid to let go of whatever he was holding onto, and he accidently caught his face as he reached around. The actors don't have the perifial vision in those costumes to see well enough to throw a "punch" like that. Tigger should get a lawyer and sue this kid and his parents, as well as CBS...

[trace1206]

For Christ Sake CBS do something other than sticking your head in the sand.

[wingnutinfla]

This story should be reported for what it obviously is... a FRAUD. CBS news should be ashamed of themselves for reporting this as anything else. The video shows that the kid pulled on the character's costume pulling Tigger backwards. Tigger reacted to this by trying to catch his balance and the kid was in his way. There is no possible way that the "punch" was intentional. To charge the character with battery, the strike or unwelcome touching must be intentional in fact, the video shows the kid obviously committing the crime of battery against the character. Orange County is not in my jurisdiction, but I am a police officer who works very close to Disney World and if the person in the Tigger costume requests prosecution, I would be willing to sign the charging affidavit charging the kid with battery. Once that family files their lawsuit against Disney, I do hope that Disney requests prosecution for fraud.

Unfortunately, Disney will probably settle the lawsuit simply because it is cheaper than fighting it and that family will have profited from their son's crime. Disney will then have to raise their prices and the rest of us will have to pay more of our hard earned money because of criminals like that family from New Hampshire.

[independent thinker]

CBS should be ashamed. I was so disgusted by this gross display of greed I felt compelled to sign on and comment. You have discredited yourself as a legitimate news source. It's clear your producer(s) were only interested in showing this "story" to create outrage. What a sleazy attempt to boost ratings!!! Not only will I not watch your news programs, I will never visit your website again.

[independent thinker]

CBS should be ashamed. I was so disgusted by this gross display of greed I felt compelled to sign on and comment. You have discredited yourself as a legitimate news source. It's clear your producer(s) were only interested in showing this "story" to create outrage. What a sleazy attempt to boost ratings!!! Not only will I not watch your news programs, I will never visit your website again.

[honestabel]

Re-watching other clips and freeze frame photos from various websites I noticed several things that contradict this being a "sucker punch"

1)The glasses remain on this kids face indicating lack of force
2) The paw lands and rests on Jr shoulder after the facial swipe. If you are punching someone in the face the force goes straight back
3) Jr clearly looks ready for it as he flinches just before the swipe and immediately delivers a return hit to Tiggers head. Sign of provacation.
4)The last thing you see before Sr stops taping is Tigger patting the kid on the arm - I translate that as an "oops, we're okay" The mom and other kids are smiling - none of them were upset. You can hear the parents voices at one point questioning what Jr did to Tigger.

Its beyond obvious that the Cast Member's report is true - he was pulled from behind, cutting off his air and he had to adjust his costume. The kids face just got in the way of that large awkward costume, if something cuts off your air supply you are going to react swiftly. The Cast Member did his job in that he did not topple over the mom and the other young kids that were surrounding him. He was as careful as could be under the circumstance.

Its also interesting that when asked about going to the hospital Mr Monaco said "...maybe Friday" its all a blur. Maybe? HUH?
Yeah, blurred by visions of green.

[jcg715]

What a scam! You can tell by the video that Tigger is reacting to either getting pulled backward or being pinched by the kid. The kid is even smirking in delight.

[antiel]

Talk about one sided news reporting! I'm amazed that that Ms Storm was able to keep a straight face. There is no question that Jr. had his arm behind "Tigger"'s back and that arm was not just resting in any sort of innocent way. No character actor is going to take a swat at anyone without being provoked - especially when onstage. The only reason "Tigger" would make such a move is if there was a REASON! And if being swatted at by a very furry paw is cause to go to the hospital much later.. we have a very serious issue here.. This family should be worse than ashamed.

[antiel]

Talk about one sided news reporting! I'm amazed that that Ms Storm was able to keep a straight face. There is no question that Jr. had his arm behind "Tigger"'s back and that arm was not just resting in any sort of innocent way. No character actor is going to take a swat at anyone without being provoked - especially when onstage. The only reason "Tigger" would make such a move is if there was a REASON! And if being swatted at by a very furry paw is cause to go to the hospital much later.. we have a very serious issue here.. This family should be worse than ashamed.

[dispatcher14]

After watching the Video..I am absolutely disgusted at the display the teen displayed. He obviously did something to the cast member in the Tigger costume and its very apparent that this teen found it ammusing. The parents of this teen should be ashamed for letting him get away with such a dispicable act!! Shame on them!! Are they looking for a free ride from Disney?? This teen should be made an example of!! We as Americans and Canadians should not let this happen...I mean really...it was obvious the member was protecting himself and the teen should be apologizing to him!!! For the family to even contemplate sueing Disney is unbeleivable and outrageous!!! How convenient that the teen looks clean cut sitting beside DAD with the "Lawyer" ...but was sure showing his true side in the video. I hope other families learn from this and understand that the world is the way it is from families like this, who think they can make a fast buck over a completely insensitive act!!! As a Canadian, we see some things that are uncalled for in our Justice system all the time and if they only understood how much money is spent in the court systems on frivilous and unwarrented acts.....we should be using this money towards acts that are well warrented. I hope this family knows how much alot of people around the world are disgusted by their sons actions.

Kim
Ontario, Canada

[trace1206]

CBS what are you waiting for?

[murraymop]

ive worked as a trauma surgeon for fifteen years, if this kid is in anyway injured id like to know how, cos frankly hes a medical marvel. this really shows the prominence of the sueing culture we have. im ashamed of these people as americans, its a pat on the head thats gone astray at best, if it was malicious tigger punches like a girl. what kind of person would make a fuss over this, honestly. on another note, if a doctor prescribed him any "medicines" as he called them then he should be struck off. the kind of trauma from a punch to the face that would be worth sueing over would be evident at the time. this kids head doesnt reel backwards as it should, unless he has some sort of condition its physically impossible for tigger to have hurt him. His fist isnt even clenched, what monumental idiot allowed these people on television? they can be best described as oxygen thieves, nothing more

[fthkuhde]

You know, when I saw this, I thought it looked like the "punk" kid was doing something to the back of Tigger's neck/costume. And yes, he has tons of padding - plus he BARELY made contact with the kids' nose. It could not have caused ANY injury. I wonder if they had in their vaction plans "get one of the Disney mascots to hurt one of us - so we can win millions in a lawsuit!!" How totally pathetic. I hope their case costs them tons of money and Disney doesn't have to pay anything!! But that's not the way the world works anymore is it?? That's too bad 'cuz the guy/girl in the Tigger costume should not be in trouble at all. Monaco's you are losers. Get a job and a life.