Family Banned from Universal’s Epic Universe Following Shoplifting Dispute Involving Autistic Daughter

Family Claims Shoplifting Misunderstanding Led to Removal from Epic Universe

A family trip to celebrate a birthday at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park ended in distress after a misunderstanding involving a $16 keychain led to their removal from the park and a year-long ban.

The incident occurred earlier this week when the family, including a mother identified as Dao and her husband, was visiting the park to celebrate their daughter’s birthday. According to the family, the celebration was cut short when they were stopped by park security and accused of retail theft.

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The Incident Dao explained that her daughter, who has autism, walked out of a gift shop holding a keychain valued at approximately $16. Dao claims she was unaware her daughter had left the store with the item unpaid. She further stated that her husband was still inside the store at the time, intending to pay for the merchandise.

Despite this explanation, Dao says she was approached by security personnel who informed her she had been caught shoplifting.

“He said, ‘You know I’m security with Universal, and you need to come with us. You’ve been caught shoplifting,'” Dao recounted in an interview.

Security Response and Consequences The situation escalated quickly. Dao says she was taken to an interrogation room, where she attempted to explain that her husband was in the process of paying and that her daughter’s actions were a result of her disability.

However, the explanation did not appear to sway the park’s security team. The family was reportedly escorted off the premises by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and issued a trespass warning, effectively banning them from the property for one year. In addition to the ban, the family received a civil demand letter seeking monetary damages for the alleged theft.

Claims of Insensitivity The family contends that Universal security failed to take their daughter’s disability into account during the confrontation. Dao expressed frustration that the security team seemed either unaware of or indifferent to the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s behavior.

“I don’t think that they considered it at all,” Dao said regarding her daughter’s autism. “It seemed like they had no idea that Universal even had a disability program.”

Legal Action The family has retained attorney Eric Block with Morgan & Morgan, who stated that he has submitted a demand letter to Universal regarding the incident. The family is seeking to clear their name, arguing that the situation was a clear misunderstanding rather than a criminal act.

As of this report, Universal Orlando Resort has not issued a public comment regarding the specific allegations.

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