Kentucky Women Allege They Were Sexually Assaulted in the Bahamas by Men Who Spiked Their Drinks
“Bahamian police are investigating the matter and Carnival is providing our full cooperation," a Carnival Cruise Line representative tells PEOPLE
Two Kentucky women are claiming they were sexually assaulted during a stop in the Bahamas while on a Carnival cruise, and a police investigation is underway.
Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson, who have since returned home, made the allegations in a Tuesday interview with local station WLEX-TV, saying that after traveling to a local resort in Freeport, a city in Grand Bahama, the workers allegedly spiked their drinks and then sexually assaulted them.
In a press release shared on Facebook, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said two men — ages 54 and 40 — were arrested Sunday in Grand Bahama after being accused of sexually assaulting two women, whose identities were not made public.
“Preliminary reports indicate the incident occurred shortly after 12 noon, while the females were visiting a beach in Central Grand Bahama,” police said. “Active police investigations continue into this matter.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the Royal Bahamas Police Force to confirm the identities of the women.
Meanwhile, Shearer and Dobson are receiving medical treatment at home and are calling out police after alleging they did not utilize rape kits, according to WLEX-TV. The women also shared what they claim was preliminary drug test results that came back positive for benzodiazepines, which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration defines as “depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures.”
The Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a separate press release sent to PEOPLE that paramedics "offered emergency medical services to the victims, which they declined, signing a waiver and then leaving for their cruise ship in a private vehicle.”
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“Recognizing the gravity of the incident, our officers boarded the cruise ship, providing a sexual assault kit and hospital form to the ship’s medical doctor and obtained signed statements from the victims,” police said.
Police added, “The RBPF is collaborating closely with the FBI in this ongoing investigation. Woman Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ms. Shanta Knowles, who oversees Grand Bahama, is personally ensuring that the investigation is conducted with the utmost level of professionalism and care.”
The women are now warning others, telling WLEX-TV that they "don't want this to happen to anybody else."
In a statement to PEOPLE regarding the allegations, a Carnival Cruise Line representative said, “While ashore in Freeport, Bahamas on an independent shore excursion, two guests on Carnival Elation reported to Bahamian police that they were sexually assaulted at a local beach.”
“Our onboard Care Team provided support for the two guests as they sailed back to Jacksonville,” they added. “Bahamian police are investigating the matter and Carnival is providing our full cooperation.”
The Carnival representative also said that staff aboard ships “routinely shares guidance on keeping safe while ashore.”
PEOPLE reached out to a lawyer representing both accusers Thursday but did not immediately hear back.
The allegations come shortly after the U.S. State Department issued a level 2 advisory for the Bahamas due to crime rates. In an online notice shared on Jan. 26, the agency advised travelers to “exercise increased caution” in the area and the water.
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