Child Rape Suspect Played 'Mickey Mouse' At Kid Parties: Delco DA

A Delaware County man who worked as a costumed character performer at kids' parties – dressing up as characters such as Mickey Mouse and SpongeBob SquarePants – has been hit with dozens of charges related to child rape, according to Delaware County authorities and court records.

Michael Cripps, 43, of Colwyn, has been charged with more than 120 counts of charges related to child rape, including indecent assault of a child, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of a child, and more, according to court records.

Cripps is in the Delaware County jail after failing to post 10 percent of $500,000 bail on Oct. 30, according to court documents. He will appear for his preliminary hearings in early and mid November, court records show.

Cripps' alleged crimes occurred over several years, with police affidavits showing the earliest crimes occurring in late 2008 and early 2009. The most recent incidents occurred in August 2017, the affidavits show.

He is charged in three separate affidavits; one filed Sept. 22, one Oct. 3, and the other Oct. 27.

In criminal affidavits filed against Cripps, authorities said he would would befriend women with sons and then abuse those boys while he was babysitting or watching the boys at his homes. Police said he has lived in Folcroft, East Lansdowne, Lansdowne, Upper Darby, Darby, Aldan, Drexel Hill, Philadelphia and Avondale.

Police said most of the alleged crimes occurred when Cripps was watching the boys as they stayed overnight at his home while he babysat them.

County officials said they do not believe he assaulted any children while operating his business as a costume character performer at kids' parties, but said he may have used it as a way to lure or get closer to his alleged victims.

Abuse allegedly included oral and anal sex, fondling, and masturbation.

Five victims have been identified in the alleged incidents.

Detectives in the District Attorney’s Child Abuse Unit are seeking assistance in sharing this information as they believe they may be other victims.

Anyone who believes their child or another was victimized by Cripps is urged to call the District Attorney’s Criminal Investigation Division’s Child Abuse Unit, Det. Sgt. Robin Clark, at (610) 891-4118.

Cripps has had many run-ins with law enforcement in the past, court records show.

He has previously been charged with crimes including receiving stolen property, theft, burglary, criminal trespassing, and more, court documents show.

He even served prison time for criminal trespassing, court records show.

Image via Delaware County District Attorney's Office