Unthinkable! Theme Park Santa Arrested for Sexual Assaulting a Five and Six Year Old

One of the quintessential experiences for most children is visiting Santa Claus at Christmas time. You sit on Santa’s lap and beg him to bring you something good for Christmas.

However, for one North Carolina town, that experience has been ruined after a man who played Santa Claus at a local theme park was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two minors over a yearlong period.

Seventy-eight-year-old Bevier Hasbrouck Sleight III played Santa Claus at Santa’s Land Fun Park and Zoo in Cherokee, North Carolina, a town about 45 minutes west of Asheville, just south of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Dollywood theme park.

Selight was charged with aggravated sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, offensive touching, and contributing to the delinquency of minors after allegedly sexually abusing two young girls from March 2023 to March 2024. When the abuse reportedly started, one of the girls was five, and the other was six.

The alleged abuse took place at Sleight’s home, which is located directly behind the Santa’s Land Fun Park and Zoo. Neighbors were shocked by the accusations against Sleight.

One neighbor told reporters:

I would have never thought that. I have a lot of grandchildren. So, it’s very shocking. He’s just really always been a super nice person.

Police released the criminal complaint against Sleight, which included the lurid details of his alleged crime. The North Carolina man was free on bail pending a court appearance this week.

However, police also told a local television station that the investigation is continuing, as they believed that Sleight was a customer of a woman who was involved in a child trafficking ring.

NEW: A Cherokee, North Carolina man who formerly portrayed Santa at Santa's Land is facing 13 child abuse charges.

More: https://t.co/gHv5qJjD5x

— WTVC NewsChannel 9 (@newschannelnine) September 10, 2024

In June, 39-year-old Shawnenna Caroline Roland was arrested for child abuse and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Police are investigating Roland and Sleight for potential involvement in a child trafficking ring based on the allegations against both of them.

The North Carolina theme park where Sleight worked told reporters he was no longer employed there but refused to comment further on the situation. They did not say if he was employed at the park while he allegedly committed these horrific crimes against the two minors.

These charges each carry sentences of up to 12 years in prison. If Sleight is convicted on all charges, He will spend the rest of his life in prison.

We will continue to update this news.