I snapped a photo of Robert The Doll before reading that he puts curses on anyone who takes his photograph. Uh oh. Surely it’s just a myth, I thought. Curious, I began reading about the doll’s history. In 1903, Robert was given to four-year old Gene Otto, who lived in Key West. As Gene grew up he blamed everything bad that happened on the doll. By the time Gene was married, Robert had taken the blame for a lifetime of lies, misdeeds, and mischief.
Some say Robert’s face had begun to change by the time Gene died in 1974, that his eyes grew more expressive. People insisted that the doll moved around and could be heard giggling behind their backs. Many who came in contact with Robert experienced bad luck, as if the doll was getting even for all the years he had been made a scapegoat. The curse of Robert The Doll grew into such a well-known legend in Key West that whenever things went wrong, locals would simply shrug and say, “Blame it on Robert.” But Robert’s real fame came when the “Chucky” horror film series (Child’s Play, Child’s Play 2, Child’s Play 3, Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky, etc.) came out, as they were said to have been modeled on the real-life story of Robert the Doll.
There are many theories about why Robert behaves the way he does. Some believe it is an ancient curse. Others say it is voodoo. Still others insist that Gene Otto’s ghost has returned to the doll whom he loved so much. The museum cats seem to believe in Robert’s dark powers – they keep their distance when staring up at the glass case in East Martello Museum where Robert is enthroned. People, on the other hand, tend to doubt the legend, and have suffered the consequences. Letters scattered at Robert’s feet and tacked up on an adjacent wall are testimonials from dozens of unbelievers who were cursed by Robert The Doll, such as this one:
Since our visit to the museum, we’ve been under a dark cloud.
I began to develop a rather severe toothache. Two days later, Hurricane Charly cut our vacation short and we joined the parade of evacuees leaving the islands. We were evacuated from our vacation spot three days early with my mouth in tremendous pain. My sister-in-law was also having female health issues. We were all forced to make alternate travel arrangements on the run.
My sister-in-law lives in Clearwater. After a problem laden and horrendous trip, she finally got home, only to be evacuated from there too. She packed up her two cats and headed for her parents house in Winter Haven and ended up in the middle of the storm there. They lost power for two days.
When we arrived in Miami for our flight back to Indianapolis, the plane broke and they had to “find” a different one for us. The following day, back in Indiana, I went to the dentist to learn that my tooth had abscessed and I had to have a root canal.
Last night we had a huge thunderstorm. Our house was hit by lightning – not once, but TWICE! We were unplugging things, but not fast enough. We lost three TV’s and a large satellite dish. The first hit, which sounded like a gunshot in the house, took one large TV and the satellite dish, and the second hit got two more TV’s. Again, the sound was horribly frightening.
Please do me a favor and tell Robert that we did not mean to anger or offend him and we’re sorry if we did. His photo did turn out good, so he sat very nicely for me. Would he like it back?
Yours sincerely,
Cindy Lyons
Battle Ground, Indiana
As for me, well, Robert and I were introduced several days ago and so far I’ve suffered no ill effects. But then, I’m not taking any chances. Like the cats, I choose to believe.
Dear Robert,
I’m deeply sorry for looking at your photos without permission. I simply wanted to know a bit more about you. Please, if you may, remove any negative income from me. It will not happen again.
Sincerely,
A curious man.
I am sorry for looking at your pictures without your permission I didn’t mean to I just wanted to know more about you. Please forgive me.
Dear Robert, I deeply apologized for looking at your online photos without your permission. I was rather interested at you but I did not mean any disrespect towards you. Please forgive me if I did anything to anger or offend you.
Sincerely,
A curious one
Me too Robert an apology.
Sincerely,
Another Curious one
Dear Robert,
I Have removed all history of your photos from my phone please do not curse me . I Respect your wishes
Sincerely, Faraji Martin
Robert, I am so sorry for viewing your online pictures. I had no idea I needed your permission to view them as well. I was curious about your history and realized this is not a game. Please accept my apology.
Dear Robert,
We are sorry for looking at your pictures without asking. We hope you except our apologies.
You are looking mighty good in that suit of yours!
Love always,
Reagan And Grace
Robert I’m sorry I looked without permission I didn’t know I couldnt look at a picture online without your consent. Please forgive us and lift any wrong.
My life couldn’t get worse. Kill me if you can…
Dear Robert,
I am so very sorry for looking at the pictures of you online without first asking for permission. We hope to come visit you in Key West and I was looking for more information.
Please accept my apology and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Thank you,
Heather G
I’m sorry about looking at pictures of you Robert I was curious
Dear Robert
I am sorry For looking at your pictures without your permission I didn’t mean to I just wanted to know more about you Can you please forgive me
From
Mariah
Dear Robert,
Me and my girlfriend looked at pictures of you. We dont mean disrespect. We were curious about you. Please forgive us.
Hello Robert my dearest apologies this was a complete accident and i also say that i am very sorry on behalf of my family and friends for i desire no ill effects. I will surely be careful next time and I would just like to send my greetings to you. The paranormal just tends to spark my curiosity but i will be cautious.
Thank you
Greg
Dear Robert,
I am sorry for looking at pictures of you online. I wasn’t aware you didn’t like that either.
Dear robert, i apologize for viewing your photos online. I was unaware that we had to have permission.
apologies
Dear Robert.
smd
Dear Robert,
I am very sorry for looking at your pictures online. I was just very curious about you. I dont mean to disrespect you in any way. Please forgive me.
Truly,
Savita
Dear Robert,
Very sorry for looking at your photo in the article without permission, had no clue we had to ask for permission for the online ones as well.
No disrespect intended.
Sincerest Apologies,
-B
dear Robert,
I’m very sorry for not asking permission to look at your photo online. I ask for forgiveness and I wasn’t aware we needed permission for pictures online as well.
no disrespect intended.
love,
m.o
Dear Robert
I ask for your forgiveness for looking at your image online. I was completely unaware that I must ask for permission when looking at online photos. Please forgive me.
Sincerely,
Courtney Nguyen
I’m so sorry Robert for looking at your pictures I didn’t mean to but I accidentally took a glance at it please don’t curse me and my family
Dear robert,
I sent my dearest apologies for being so inconciderate and rude,I unfortunately was unaware that I had to ask for permission to view any online pictures of you.And the one in the article wasn’t the only one,And i am deeply sorry.In truth i did it because I’m scared,I’m always scared of things I cannot grasp(no offense).And i sincerly hope I don’t offend you,I’m just an anxious teen who spends her time overthinking about things.I’m scared.I’m worried.I’m sorry.Please,Please forgive me.
-Adora bekanich
yeah me too please dont curse me robert i want to be friends and i hope god dont have any problems with that because i see online that your not really a nasty or evil spirit please dont curse me i beg you i dont want to die or have any problems i just wanted to know more about your past and about you……
Dear Robert
I am sorry For looking at your pictures without your permission I didn’t mean to I just wanted to know more about you Can you please forgive me
From
Marcia Sithole
Dear Robert
Forgive me for looking at your picture. I was completely unaware because I was attempting not to find more information. To specify looking at your picture online. I apologize for not asking for permission.
Sincerely
Courtney Nguyen
Sorry for looking at your pictures without permission Robert. I accidentally saw your picture on Facebook whilst scrolling on my Newsfeed. I was unaware you needed permission to look and I was going to comment to tell you I was sorry that I looked without permission, but the comments were turned off. I was curious about your story and that’s how I ended up looking online about you and your story. I meant no disrespect in any way, I’m truly sorry, please forgive me. I really am very sorry for looking at your pictures without permission.
Sincerely,
Katie Nightingale
Dear , Robert I’m sorry for searching up your picture in online and looking up you in videos without your permission . I’m sorry . Please forgive me Robert
Dear Robert,
I’m sorry for looking you up and looking at your image without your permission, please forgive me. I mean no ill intentions.
Thank you,
Annie
Dear Robert I\’m soooo sorry for looking you up online and at your pictures without your permission please forgive me I meant no harm not did I want to disrespect you in any way I\’m sorry for what happened to you. Hope things get better my deepest apologies to you please forgive me..
Sincerely, Mrs Evans!
dear robert,
im sorry for looking at pictures of you online. i was just curious. i didnt know i also had to ask permission when it came to pictures on the internet as well.
sincerely,
a very curious and unemployed girl ;(
I just asked for forgiveness as well. Hope Robert forgives us
dear robert,
im sorry for looking at pictures of you online. i was just curious. i didnt know i also had to ask permission when it came to pictures on the internet as well.
sincerely,
a very curious and unemployed girl