Girls Groped At Splish Splash; Parents Want Action

RIVERHEAD, NY — The parents of four young girls police say were "touched inappropriately" while at the Splish Splash water park in Riverhead last week are calling for action.

According to Riverhead Police, the incident took place on Aug. 21 at 6:21 p.m. The girls, ages 11 to 13, were visiting Splish Splash with the Huntington YMCA camp when they were "touched inappropriately" by five to seven males in the wave pool at the water park.

"There was an allegation of inappropriate touching," police said. "There was very little description, no video that covers the pool area, so it's very difficult to identify the subjects. No one has been identified at this time and the matter is still under investigation."

Christopher J. Cassar, an attorney with offices in Huntington Village and Uniondale, said the parents of the four young girls say they were "sexually assaulted," and plan to speak at a press event in Huntington on Tuesday, where they "intend to express their dissatisfaction with the investigation and/or lack of investigation by the police and Splish Splash. The parents will request that Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office intervene and conduct the investigation," he said.

The parents are also asking for the public’s help in identifying the perpetrators, Cassar added.

A report by News 12 said after the incident, the girls told their counselors, who notified security at Splish Splash; parents allege that security escorted the accused out of the park without identifying them. And, according to the post, police and phone records indicate that Splish Splash security did not call the Riverhead Police Department until a half hour after the mother reported it to the police – more than an hour after it took place.

"Splish Splash takes safety very seriously. We are aware of the incident and are working with the Riverhead Police Department," said Gamini Perera, director of marketing at Splish Splash.

The YMCA also spoke out on the incident.

"The YMCA of Long Island is committed to ensuring the well-being of the youths we serve, at all times. We are confident that our summer day camp staff is dedicated to caring for and protecting all children in our care. In addition, we are fully cooperating with law enforcement and cannot comment on an ongoing investigation," said Tamar Simpson, director of marketing and communications for YMCA of Long Island.

Patch file photo of Splish Splash in a previous year by Lisa Finn.