ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A civil lawsuit alleges Dorney Park is liable after an employee allegedly raped a girl off of park grounds in 2021.
Attorney Haley Kyllonen said in September of 2021, a 15-year-old girl and her friend met 22-year-old Anthony Casio at Dorney Park’s Halloween Haunt.
“They were at one of the rides when they met the perpetrator in this case,” said Kyllonen, an associate with Andreozzi and Foote.
Kyllonen said Casio, who was working at Dorney Park, pretended to be 17.
“He exchanged contact information with them and continued on to have a relationship, a friendship relationship,” said Kyllonen.
According to the lawsuit, on multiple occasions, he inappropriately touched the girl, manipulating her into thinking the interactions were harmless fun.
The lawsuit said Casio met the girl at an Emmaus hotel in October of 2021, where he became physically aggressive and sexually assaulted her.
“The victim struggles. This is a constant trigger and reminder in her life of what happened. You know, she struggles daily with anxiety, stress, the sadness that any survivor would experience,” said Kyllonen.
Court records confirm Casio pleaded guilty to statutory sexual assault and corruption of minors in Lehigh County in 2023.
According to the lawsuit, prior to working at Dorney Park, Casio had a history of sexual misconduct including a prior sexual assault charge.
The lawsuit claims negligence, negligent hiring, and negligent supervision and retention are being asserted against Dorney Park and its parent companies.
“We’re seeking justice for the victim first and foremost to show institutional accountability on Dorney Park. Any civil remedy available we’d like for the victim to obtain, but mostly just justice,” said Kyllonen.
We reached out to Dorney Park for comment. A spokesperson says “It is our policy not to comment on pending litigation.”