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According to reports, two attraction cars burst into flames at the Highfields Festival near Leipzig on August 17, 2024, leaving dozens of people with mostly minor injuries, but two seriously injured. (Photo credit: TikTok/ @nervdieleudenicht)
A North Carolina man who previously played Santa Claus at theme parks has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing children between March 2023 and March 2024, according to reports.
The Cherokee Indian Police Department said 78-year-old Bevir Hasbrouck Slight III faces 13 child abuse charges, including two counts each of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and first-degree child abuse, as well as three counts of offensive contact.
Police said Slaight was an employee of Santa's Land Fun Park and Zoo on Wolftown Road, but the alleged incidents reportedly happened at the suspect's home, not the park, according to local ABC-TV news station WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina.
The station also reported that Sleight's home is located on Blythe Drive, just behind the park.
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A man who once pretended to be Santa has been arrested in Cherokee, North Carolina, on child sexual abuse charges. (Cherokee Police Department)
The incidents occurred between March 2023 and March 2024 and involved approximately 12 children between the ages of 5 and 7, according to court records.
Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo could not be reached for comment.
The park site highlights the opportunity for children to meet legendary Christmas figures.
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The Cherokee Indian Police Department has arrested a man who was playing Santa at a local park on suspicion of child sexual abuse. (iStock)
“Kids will be excited to visit Santa's mountain home and receive their very own 'Good Behavior Diploma,'” the site says.
The park also offers children the opportunity to interact with wild and exotic animals from around the world and enjoy magic shows.
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Fox News Digital made multiple attempts to contact the Cherokee Indian Police Department.
Police told the news station that Sleight is suspected of being a client of Caroline Rowland, 39, a local woman who is alleged to be running a child trafficking ring.
Rowland is being held at the Cherokee Detention Center on 11 charges, including child abuse.
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of The news station reported The owner of Santa's Land Fun said Slaight is no longer an employee of the park.
Slaight, who is out on bail, is scheduled to appear in tribal court on Wednesday.
