A Carnival cruise vacation allegedly turned into a nightmare after a “heavily intoxicated” passenger attacked two children who were playing tag in a hallway, authorities said.
David Lawrence Crosby II, 44, of Surrency, Georgia, was arrested July 27 and charged with two counts of child abuse following the disturbing incident aboard the Carnival Glory.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Crosby was running through a hallway on the ship July 26 when he came across three children playing tag.
Authorities allege Crosby suddenly struck one child in the face, leaving the youngster with a bloody lip and head pain. He then allegedly hit a second child in the stomach.
The incident was reportedly captured by the cruise ship’s security cameras.
When Crosby was taken into custody by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office after the ship returned to Port Canaveral, he allegedly told investigators he had been “heavily intoxicated” and could not remember hitting the children.
Carnival Cruise Line said its security officers quickly intervened after learning what had happened.
“Our security team responded immediately to an incident involving an intoxicated guest aboard Carnival Glory on July 26,” a Carnival spokesperson said in a statement.
The cruise line said Crosby was confined to his cabin for the rest of the trip and handed over to local authorities when the ship arrived back in Florida.
Carnival also charged him a code-of-conduct violation fee and permanently placed him on the company’s Do Not Sail list.
“We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior,” the spokesperson said.
The Carnival Glory typically sails from Port Canaveral to destinations in the Bahamas.
Crosby was booked into jail but released Tuesday after posting $10,000 bond on each charge, for a total of $20,000, according to court records.
He appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty. His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 25.
Fox News Digital said it contacted the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the public defender’s office and a Georgia business connected to Crosby for additional comment.
A recorded message at the business said it was closed Tuesday because of a “family emergency,” which was the same day Crosby was released from jail.
The guy was a danger to those children and belongs in jail.