US EditionFamily removed from theme park over shoplifting ‘misunderstanding’
The family was banned for a year and fined after security misinterpreted the mother's attempt to prevent an autistic meltdown involving a $16 keychain, attorney said.
- Taking her autistic, nonverbal seven-year-old daughter out of a crowded gift shop, Nikki Daou says her family was accused of shoplifting after her daughter grabbed a $16 keychain on December 27.
- Before entering, Daou registered her daughter with Universal's disability access program and removed the nonverbal and autistic child from the crowded Mario-themed gift shop to prevent a rapid meltdown within one to two minutes.
- A plain-clothed security guard accused the family of shoplifting, escorted Daou to a security office, and the park called the Orange County Sheriff's Office, leading to a trespass warning and one-year ban while confiscating their rented wheelchair and disability stroller.
- Universal's lawyers sent a demand letter seeking $200, and Eric Block, attorney at Morgan & Morgan, responded demanding an apology, rescission, and a donation to an autistic charity.
- The incident has prompted calls for more staff autism training from the family and advocates, and Eric Block urges better training citing potential miscommunication, while attorneys note Florida theft statute requires intent to deprive.
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Family of Little Girl With Autism Accused of Shoplifting and Removed From Epic Universe
A Florida family says they were left “shaken up” after allegedly being accused of shoplifting in an incident involving their autistic 7-year-old daughter during their visit to Epic Universe, according to a new report from PEOPLE. While visiting Super Nintendo World, a major draw for their daughter due to her “fixation” of Mario, the family entered the 1-Up Factory gift shop. There, the child selected a $16 Mario keychain. According to Nikki Daou…
Universal Orlando Is Suing Family of Disabled Girl Over a Mario Keychain?
It seems that a series of unfortunate events has led to a family being trespassed and possibly sued over a $16 Super Mario Bros. keychain. According to People, Nikki Daou from Jacksonville was visiting Epic Universe at Universal Orlando with her husband and severely autistic 7-year-old daughter for the child’s birthday. The daughter, like many autistic children, is especially fixated on the character of Mario. Ahead of the family’s visit, she ev…
Family Allegedly Removed From Universal Studios After Being Accused of Shoplifting
A family says they were removed from Universal Studios in Florida after being accused of stealing from one of the amusement park’s gift shops. While speaking to PEOPLE, Nikki Daou, a paralegal at Morgan & Morgan, said the situation occurred due to a misunderstanding. She explained that her 7-year-old daughter, who has autism, had become overwhelmed at a gift shop. That was when things took a turn. The family’s attorney, Eric “Rick” Block of Morg…
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