Inset: “Tickle Me Elmo” doll (Oakland County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Kevin Wayne VanLuven (Oakland County Sheriff’s Office).
In Michigan, security camera footage captured a disturbing incident involving a home inspector engaging in inappropriate behavior with a child’s toy in a 2-year-old boy’s room. The child’s mother discovered this shocking act while checking the surveillance camera to monitor the inspection process. The man identified as Kevin Wayne VanLuven breached the family’s trust in a heinous manner.
The mother expressed her concern about the potential health risks, stating, “What if he had an STD and our son played with that or anything?” She went on to highlight the violation of trust, especially considering they have young children in the house. The betrayal of trust by someone they welcomed into their home to perform a service is deeply alarming.
In October 2022, a jury found VanLuven guilty of aggravated indecent exposure, convicting him for his inappropriate actions. He was, however, acquitted of the charge of malicious destruction of personal property valued at less than $200.
Footage showed him standing at the bedroom closet, facing away from the camera, and committing the act. He then zipped up and placed the doll out of frame on the other side of the room. As he did so, the Elmo doll is heard emitting a prerecorded laugh. VanLuven stood up, and while breathing hard, appeared to briefly make eye contact with the camera.
He was sentenced in December 2022 to 19 days of jail with credit for time served, and 18 months of probation, but records show he was convicted in January 2024 of violating probation.
