ORLANDO, Fla. – A Kissimmee man is being held without bond after witnesses say he tried to kidnap a child at resort near Walt Disney World.
Orange County sheriff's deputies responded to the World Center Mariott on World Center Drive at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Sunday after hotel security called to report the incident.
Investigators say the child had ventured outside the hotel gift shop, where his family was shopping, when he saw a man knock down a sign in the hotel lobby.
The child said the man grabbed him by the arm and tried to take him into one of the hotel's elevators, but the child was able to escape.
Someone passing by asked the child if he knew the man, and the child said, "no."
Armin Romero, 39, of Kissimmee, was arrested by Orange County sheriff's deputies.
Investigators say Romero was taken to Celebration Hospital before he was transported to the jail because they were concerned about how intoxicated he was.
During questioning, Romero claimed not to remember anything from Sunday night, and investigators say he wondered why he was being questioned.
He told them he was "shocked" over the allegations, and can understand the severity since he has children of his own.
Romero was charged with kidnapping and was denied bond.
Local 6 has learned Romero has a history of alcohol-related offenses in Orange County that include several arrested for driving under the influence and reckless driving.