Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
Worker At Indoor Bounce House Allegedly Touched 7-Year-Old Girl Inappropriately And Photographed Her
Tavi Benelli is accused of luring a 7-year-old girl into a private room of Pump It Up and committing a lewd act.
An employer at an indoor bounce house in Belmont, California is accused of inappropriately touching a 7-year-old girl and taking photographs of her.
Tavi Benelli, 18, is accused of luring the victim into a private room of Pump It Up, typically known as a place for kids to have fun, according to KTVU in San Francisco. There, in that private room, he allegedly told her to start jumping. She did, and he allegedly took photos of her doing so.
"And she looked over her shoulder and realized he had his cell phone and was taking photos of her from behind. And she says what are you doing and he said just keep jumping," San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said, according to KTVU.
After the photo taking, Benelli allegedly touched the child.
"Then he walked up to her and said you've got a dead bug on your behind and he took his hand and brushed her behind with his hand as if knocking off a dead bug. All made up. All a ruse."
The child reported the incident to her nanny, who in turn contacted her parents, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Benelli pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges of committing a lewd act with a child under age 14 and destroying or concealing evidence, along with a misdemeanor charge of molesting or annoying a minor. He allegedly tried to delete the photos from his phone.
It’s unclear if Benelli has a lawyer who can speak on his behalf at this time. His bail was set at $350,000. His next court date has been scheduled for April 15.
He could face up to a decade prison if convicted on the charges.
