Florida Man Allegedly Harasses 15-Year-Old ‘Scare Actor’ at Haunted House
A night of fun at a haunted house in Florida took an alarming turn when a 47-year-old man was arrested for allegedly inappropriate behavior towards a teenage scare actor. The unsettling incident has shaken the local community, with many now questioning the safety of such events.
On Friday night, Lonnie Joe Ward Jr. allegedly behaved inappropriately with a 15-year-old girl who was working as a scare actor at a haunted house in Jonesville, Florida. According to the girl’s statement, Ward was the last guest to go through the attraction, and his actions left her feeling deeply uncomfortable.
The girl recounted that while she was sitting in a chair as part of the haunted house experience, Ward approached her and acted in a way that crossed the line.
She said he touched her over her clothing inappropriately and held her arm for about 30 seconds, staring at her in a manner that she described as “strange.”
The young girl wasn’t alone during the encounter. Another juvenile scare actor, a boy who witnessed the incident, confirmed her account.
He stated that Ward looked at him as if to act surprised or brush off the incident, trying to make it seem like nothing serious had happened. This additional testimony supported the girl’s claims and added further credibility to the case against Ward.
Despite the serious accusations, Ward has denied any wrongdoing. He claimed to police that he was only searching for his son during the haunted house experience and didn’t touch anyone.
However, the victim and witness accounts have cast doubt on his explanation, leaving authorities to continue investigating the case closely.
Following the incident, Ward was arrested on Saturday and charged with inappropriate behavior involving a minor. He is currently being held in the Alachua County jail without bail, awaiting further legal proceedings.
The arrest has shocked the local community, raising concerns about how such behavior could occur in a public, seemingly safe setting like a haunted house.
Haunted houses are designed to entertain with harmless scares, but for the young scare actor involved, this was no typical fright.
Instead of enjoying the excitement of the job, the teenage worker was faced with an alarming experience. What was supposed to be a night of fun quickly turned into a situation filled with fear and discomfort.
News of the incident quickly spread across social media, sparking widespread outrage and concern. Parents and community members voiced their frustration, demanding stronger protections for young workers.
“No teenager should feel unsafe while working at an event like this,” one commenter expressed on Facebook. Many have called for stricter rules and oversight at public events where young people are employed, to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
As Ward faces legal proceedings, the haunted house staff and event organizers are left rethinking safety protocols. This incident has raised serious questions about the security and supervision at events involving minors, leaving many wondering what can be done to ensure the safety of young workers. How will haunted houses and similar attractions adapt to avoid such alarming events in the future?
Do you think stronger safety measures should be in place for teenagers working in public events? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
