KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Osceola County deputies have arrested an airbrush tattoo artist they say touched a 7-year-old girl inappropriately at a hotel pool.
Damon Bellis, 47, has been charged with lewd and lascivious molestation in the Tuesday afternoon incident.
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Deputies said Bellis, who was hired by the hotel to provide airbrush tattoos in the pool area, touched the girl inappropriately at Vacation Villas at Fantasy World Resort in Kissimmee.
"This is where people come to have a good time with their family, with their children," said Priscilla Fuentes, a guest at the resort.
According to the report, the girl told deputies Bellis pulled her bathing suit back and inappropriately touched her several times, possibly taking pictures.
"For a thing like this to happen, it's sad," Fuentes said.
Deputies said a witness saw the incident and told the girl's mother, who reported it.
"No, I don't believe it," Dora Robinson told Local 6.
Robinson lives next door to Bellis in an Orlando apartment complex.
"When I'm sick, he comes to check on me. If my dog needs to be walked, he walks my dog," she said.
Another neighbor came to Bellis' defense.
"He has spent time with me and my grandchildren and he has never struck me as that type of person," Louis Baker told Local 6.
Bellis denied the allegations when he was arrested and deputies said they are searching Bellis' phone for evidence.
A resort administrator said Bellis has worked at the resort for five months and they have never had complaints.
Bellis has received "glowing" reviews on comment cards, according to the administrator, who didn't want his name used.
Bellis is being held in the Osceola County jail without bond.