Robert the Doll: Don't Toy With Me

In 1904 little Robert Eugene Otto was given a doll as a toy.  The doll became a playmate and confidant…and something more.  From childhood to the end of his life, the doll remained a presence in Eugene Otto’s life.  Locals claimed to see the doll move, to hear the doll speak, to see him looking out of the windows of the Otto House.  After Eugene died, the house and the doll were sold to a woman who cared for the doll for 20 years, until she decided to donate the doll to a local museum, warning the staff that the doll was haunted.  Robert the Doll now lives in a museum in Key West, Fl.  He’s the star attraction, a glimpse into turn of the century childhood.

Visitors to the museum who mock Robert, or take his picture without permission, find themselves cursed with bad luck.  Over the years, Robert has received over a thousand letters of apology from people who have made the mistake of disrespecting Robert.  Their letters beg for forgiveness and plead with Robert to lift his curse.  Robert the Doll makes one thing clear – messing with the paranormal is not child’s play (sorry).

CURSE UPDATE: Listeners will note Juliette’s audio issues this week, and there are times when she can’t be heard at all, although Theo can be heard responding to her.  Immediately after recording both Theo and Juliette had the same message flash on their screens: “poor internet connection.”  They are not saying that this was due to Robert the Doll, but they are also carefully NOT saying that it isn’t due to Robert.  They have the utmost respect for Robert and deeply appreciate being allowed to discuss his story and straighten out some of the myths surrounding him.