Resort denies mums' version of events after they're 'drugged and raped by staff'

09 February 2024 , 09:59

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Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson, both 31 from Kentucky (Image: WKYT)

A popular beach resort where two women claim they were raped by staff says their accounts of the horrific event are conflicting with the surveillance footage.

Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson, both 31 from Kentucky, claimed they were attacked by two members of staff at Bahama's Pirate Cove while they were on the last day of their four-day trip on board the Carnival Cruise ship. The women were allegedly given drinks spiked with a mix of illicit drugs, including benzodiazepines and cocaine.

In a statement released on February 7, the management of Pirates Cove said: "Upon further review of the surveillance videos, the allegations made on site, and in subsequent social media posts and news stories, conflict with what the time-stamped surveillance videos contain." The statement continued: "As such, the lengthy videos of all concerned have been handed over to the local police and will be shared with our industry partners as needed."

READ MORE: Two women claim they were drugged and raped by staff at Bahamas resort during cruise

The two women claimed they were raped by staff at the Pirates Cove (WKYT)

The local police, who are investigating the incident, disclosed that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also looking into the allegations. The women had taken to social media to claim they were drugged and sexually assaulted, alleging that local authorities denied them rape kits and medical attention. However, police officials countered this, stating that it was the alleged victims who refused examination.

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Despite the initial investigation by the police, the women reportedly declined transportation to the hospital but were eventually transported back to their cruise ship by Pirates Cove personnel. The women claimed that they were examined aboard the Carnival Cruise ship, where they tested positive for several illegal drugs.

The women were allegedly given drinks spiked with a mix of illicit drugs, including benzodiazepines and cocaine (WKYT)

Pirate Cove added in their statement that they regret that their guests experienced this incident, and "remain steadfast in their commitment to aid police in the collection of evidence in response to these allegations. This includes providing Police access to video from the sixteen cameras around the beach facility where the assault of the two guests allegedly occurred. Accusations of any kind are always thoroughly investigated by Pirates Cove management and, when warranted, the organisation calls in local authorities."

Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson reported the horrific alleged incident on social media (WKYT)

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They added: "Local authorities and paramedics were called to the scene and Pirates Cove management assisted in identifying and locating the two alleged suspects. In addition, after the police concluded their initial investigation, we assisted in transporting the women back to their cruise ship after guests refused transportation to the hospital.

The two women said they were given spiked drinks (WKYT)

"We have a zero-tolerance policy for fraternising with guests or behaving in a manner that is unsafe. While there is an active police investigation into these serious allegations, we have terminated the employment of the two accused, as the behaviour seen on tape by management indicates that at a minimum, they violated our zero-tolerance policy. We strongly encourage all concerned parties to make sure all facts are considered before reaching a conclusion."

Vassia Barba