Woman sexually abused as a teen says Myrtle Beach motel lacked security
A teen claims three boys sexually abused her at a Myrtle Beach motel, and she is now trying to hold the facility partially responsible for its lack of security..
The assault happened in April 2015 at the Sea Gypsy Inn when the victim was 14 years old, according to the lawsuit filed this week in Horry County. The victim is not named in the filing, only listed as “Jane Doe.”
The suit lists the Sea Gypsy Inn, and two people who operated the hotel at the time, Vijay Tolani and Harkishin Bhambhani, as defendants.
Three minors — all boys — were allowed to register as guests and get a room at the Sea Gypsy Inn, 394 N. Ocean Blvd., the filing states. It was those minors the victim says sexually abused her.
Sea Gypsy Inn did not provide adequate security, including not having a surveillance system or completing security sweeps, the suit states. It also claims the motel is in a “high crime area” that is also an “unsafe and dangerous environment,” and the public was not warned about the conditions.
Luke Wolf, with the Sea Gypsy Inn, said the motel owners leased the Sea Gypsy Inn to Tolani when the alleged incident happened. The owners have since resumed management of the motel.
“We had no control whatsoever at that time,” Wolf said. He added there were no major, criminal activity before Tolani, or since his lease ended.
Attempts to reach Tolani were unsuccessful.
The victim asked for an unspecified amount of money because of the motel’s negligence. She states she has faced physical and psychological difficulties from the incident.
