A 44-year-old man was arrested in Port Canaveral Monday, July 27 after allegedly striking children playing aboard Carnival Glory.
David Crosby II, a Georgia resident, was running down the hall with the kids when he suddenly stopped, then turned and struck two of the children, one in the face and another in the stomach.
The alleged incident occurred the day before the arrest on July 26.
One child sustained a bloody lip and head pain from the incident, while the second child suffered stomach pains.
The two children had been engaged in a simple game.
A group of kids was playing a game of tag, running through the hallways of the ship.
According to the reporting from WESH 2 News, Crosby joined in the running children’s game down the vessel’s hallway before the alleged assault occurred.
Security cameras on the Carnival cruise ship recorded the incident as the children were running down the hallway of the vessel.
The suspect provided a statement to police about his recollection of events.
Crosby told officials that he was heavily intoxicated at the time, and has no memory of the incident.
Yet authorities found no evidence to corroborate his claim about intoxication.
His arrest affidavit indicates that he was not suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.
He did not indicate any motive for his actions.
Ship details paint a picture of the vessel and voyage in question.
The 110,000 gross-ton ship was sailing a three-night, round-trip Bahamas itinerary, embarking from Port Canaveral on July 24, stopping at Carnival’s private destination, Celebration Key, on July 25, followed by a sea day on July 26 before returning to Port Canaveral early on July 27.
After returning to port, law enforcement moved swiftly.
After the ship docked in Port Canaveral, Crosby was promptly arrested by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
Crosby, who lives in Surrency, Georgia, was held on $20,000 bond and charged with child abuse WO great bodily harm, simple assault.
Federal maritime law required the cruise line to report the allegation immediately.
Under the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, cruise lines are obligated to report any allegation of a serious crime committed onboard their ships to the FBI.
The charges he faces could carry substantial penalties.
He faces one charge of felony child abuse without great bodily harm and one charge of simple assault, and if convicted, could face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
In the viral moment that drew attention across cruise passenger forums and social media, the incident became emblematic of concerns about alcohol and family safety at sea.
The case has renewed focus on alcohol consumption aboard large cruise ships, particularly those marketed as family vacations, as Carnival and other leading cruise operators heavily promote beverage packages and adult nightlife, even as their ships host thousands of children on popular school holiday and summer departures.
Travel blogs and cruise forums have long debated how lines should balance a festive atmosphere with the need to prevent alcohol-fueled disorder.
The ship’s operator maintains strict conduct policies.
Carnival’s safety policy states, “Disruptive behavior is not tolerated and any guest whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other guests or crew will be disembarked at their own expense and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future.”
Crosby’s first court appearance is coming soon.
He awaits his first day in court on August 25.