William Chatel, a 72-year-old man from Rhode Island, stands accused of the disturbing act of inappropriately touching children in a lazy river at the Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort in Orange County. WESH reported that Chatel is facing charges of lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim under 12, according to the arrest report from the Orange County Sheriff’s office. The allegations claim that over two days, Chatel both "grabbed" and "tickled" the buttocks of a young girl while underwater.
The incident reportedly began last Sunday, with Chatel allegedly touching the child for the first time in the lazy river and then returning to target her again on Monday. The girl's mother contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Office after her daughter recounted the events. The arrest reportedly occurred without incident at the resort, with Chatel now being held on no bond.
Further investigation of the incident has revealed another distressing layer. ClickOrlando reported that there might be a second victim involved. A parent provided a swimsuit for potential evidence collection, including DNA. Forensic analysis is underway, alongside efforts to collect a DNA sample from Chatel, who, when asked by investigators, claimed he didn't remember anything about the accusations.
The mother of the first victim reportedly took several videos of Chatel as he appeared to approach young girls in the river and swim underwater towards them. These videos were shared with the deputies. Chatel, who was discovered in the resort’s hot tub, had been previously arrested on similar charges in 2017 for allegedly inappropriately touching a child at a Goodwill store where he worked. This time, he has been charged with lewd and lascivious molestation by a victim 12 or under, awaiting further legal proceedings.
