Lawsuit: Mom, daughter assaulted by clowns with sex toys at haunted house

A woman and her 17-year-old daughter have sued the Massacre Haunted House in Montgomery, arguing they were assaulted and verbally harassed by two workers dressed as clowns holding sex toys.

The lawsuit, filed by Montgomery resident Regina Janito, seeks unspecified damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and negligence on behalf of the haunted house operators.

"The conduct of the haunted house and its employees crossed all lines of decency and common sense," said attorney Michael Huseman. "Their conduct was outrageous and extreme. My client and her daughter were traumatized by the event. We hope this whole thing is resolved quickly."

According to the lawsuit, Janito, her daughter and three other minors drove to the haunted house on Oct. 11.

They were met in the parking lot by two men dressed as clowns and holding sex toys who began to harass the group, according to the suit.

One employee, Robert Keller, used a sex toy to poke the 17-year-old; the other employee, identified in the suit as John Doe, simulated a sex act with the toy while Keller made repeated lewd and offensive remarks to Janito and the girl. All four left the grounds without buying tickets, the suit states.

"The acts committed by Keller and John Doe were beyond the standards of civilized decency and beyond the scope of what society is willing to tolerate," the lawsuit stated.

Nic Miele, general manager of the haunted house, did not return a phone message. He issued a statement via email Tuesday through a communications firm.

It said more than 100,000 patrons have visited over a decade and the 20,000-square-foot haunted house is recognized as best in the suburbs.

"We make every effort to ensure our Halloween experience is as safe and as scary as possible," part of the statement read. "We abide by all regulations, take all allegations of misconduct seriously, and are cooperating with police. All the while, we are committed to continuing our Halloween tradition of fear and fright for many years to come."

Keller, 23, of Algonquin, eventually was arrested and charged with battery and disorderly conduct.

Messages left with Montgomery Police Tuesday were not immediately returned.

Janito's lawsuit is first due in court on Jan. 8.