Santa Claus arrested at a North Carolina theme park for sexually abusing two young girls

A Santa Claus impersonator at a North Carolina amusement park is said to have sexually abused two young girls in his home over the course of a year.

The Cherokee Indian Police Department arrested 78-year-old Bevier Hasbrouck Sleight III on charges including aggravated sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, indecent touching and solicitation of minors to commit crimes. Sleight, who sports a long white beard, was reportedly playing the old Santa Claus at Santa's Land Fun Park and Zoo in Cherokee.

Sleight is accused of performing oral sex and digitally penetrating the victims

According to a criminal complaint obtained by Law & Crime, between March 2023 and March 2024, Sleight sexually abused two girls – one aged 5 and 6, the other aged 6 and 7. He allegedly performed oral sex on them and digitally penetrated them.

The alleged assaults occurred at Sleight's home, which records show is located directly behind the park. The owner of the theme park said Sleight is no longer employed there.

Sleight's arrest has left his neighbors stunned.

“I would never have thought that,” neighbor Kim Lambert told the television station. “I have a lot of grandchildren. So it's very shocking. He was actually always a really nice person.”

Sleight is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. He is currently free on bail.

The theme park's website says it has rides, live animals, and of course, Santa Claus and his elves.

“Your children will be thrilled to visit Santa at his very own summer home in the Great Smoky Mountains,” the website says. “They can sit with Santa and tell him all their Christmas wishes and receive their own 'Diploma of Good Behavior'!”

Sleight is also involved in a child trafficking ring

According to WLOS, police also said Sleight was a client of a woman who allegedly ran a child sex trafficking ring. However, neither man is currently charged with child sex trafficking.

The woman, 39-year-old Shawnenna Caroline Roland, was arrested in June on charges of child abuse, maiming and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Police told WLOS that the human trafficking investigation is ongoing.