Half Moon Bay, Calif. – A lawsuit filed in the Northern District of California’s U.S. District Court alleges a disturbing incident at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, involving a female guest and a hotel employee. According to the suit, the woman, during her stay at the esteemed resort, experienced what she describes as a sexual assault after consuming water in her room, purportedly contaminated with semen.
The plaintiffs, identified in court documents as Jane and John Doe, recount their visit to the renowned luxury hotel, initially planned as a celebration with their college-aged daughter. Their stay, meant to be filled with relaxation and luxury, took an alarming turn following a horrifying discovery in their room. The details emerging from the lawsuit depict a sequence of events leading up to and following the alleged contamination of a water bottle provided by hotel staff.
Jane Doe’s ordeal began when she took a sip from a water bottle delivered to her room by a hotel employee. The taste and texture, she claimed, were alarmingly off. The realization of what the substance might be – a suspicion later confirmed by laboratory analysis according to the lawsuit – led to an immediate complaint to the hotel management and involvement of local police.
The complaint further states that the hotel’s initial response to the incident was to test the water, which allegedly took two months to confirm the presence of semen. However, the hotel would not cooperate with the police in identifying the employee responsible and for offering what they consider inadequate compensation: mere reward points from Marriott, the parent company of Ritz-Carlton.
Both plaintiffs have reportedly been deeply affected by the incident. Jane Doe has undergone continuous medical testing for potential infections, while her husband has sought therapy to cope with the distress of the event and its impact on their marriage. The suit argues that the hotel’s failure to protect its guests and cooperate fully with law enforcement represents not just negligence but a continued risk to other patrons.
This case has raised serious questions about guest safety and staff accountability in luxury hotels. The plaintiffs’ attorney, Terrence Jones, highlights the broader implications of such incidents, noting the potential for ongoing sexual misconduct by the unidentified staff member and the hotel’s apparent inaction in preventing future occurrences.
The lawsuit comes amid broader discussions about safety and security in the hospitality industry, especially concerning the protection of guests from such invasive and traumatic experiences.