Robert the Haunted Doll
By James Donahue
It may seem hard to believe that a children’s doll can be haunted and that it’s existence can not only frighten people who have personal contact, but has a reputation of causing harm to those appear to anger it.
Tucked away at the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida, is a relatively large, plain appearing old figurine known as Robert the Doll.
As one observer described Robert: “Ostensibly a little boy in a sailor suit, his careworn face is only vaguely human. His nub of a nose looks like a pair of pinholes. He is covered in brown nicks, like scars. His eyes are beady and black. He wears a malevolent smirk. Clasped in his lap he’s holding his own toy, a dog with garish, popping eyes and a too-big tongue lolling crazily out of its mouth.”
Those who have studied this doll and its history note that Robert is not only haunted, but he has been considered responsible for car accidents, broken bones, and other misfortunes including lost jobs and divorce. It is believed that photographers must get permission from Robert before they can snap his picture. They say the doll approves such a request by a slight tilt of his head. Visitors that forget often return to beg for forgiveness.
The legend that has grown around this old doll has made it somewhat famous as a figure to be visited on ghost tours and haunting tales. It is said that Robert was the inspiration behind Chucky in the film “Child’s Play.”
It is said that Robert was created in Germany over 100 years ago where one story said he was purchased as a birthday gift by the grandfather of the late artist Robert Eugene Otto, of Key West.
Another story stated that a Bahamian main bought the doll as a gift for Otto but then cursed the doll after members of Otto’s family did something that angered her. After the maid left the household strange things began plaguing the Otto household.
It was said that young Robert liked the doll and as children do, he enjoyed talking to it. Servants in the home claimed the doll sometimes talked back, changed facial expressions, and even moved around in the house on its own. Neighbors reported seeing the doll move from window to window when the family was away. Some people even reported hearing maniacal giggles coming from the doll.
While he apparently loved the doll, young Robert Otto also woke some nights screaming as heavy furniture crashed around. When his parents investigated the boy said: “Robert did it. It was Robert.”
The doll went on display in the Fort East Martello Museum after Robert Otto died in 1974. Museum curator Cori Convertito said he believed Robert Otto maintained an “unhealthy relationship” with the doll throughout his life. “He brought it everywhere, he talked about it in the first person as if he weren’t a doll; he was Robert. As in he is a live entity.”
By James Donahue
It may seem hard to believe that a children’s doll can be haunted and that it’s existence can not only frighten people who have personal contact, but has a reputation of causing harm to those appear to anger it.
Tucked away at the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida, is a relatively large, plain appearing old figurine known as Robert the Doll.
As one observer described Robert: “Ostensibly a little boy in a sailor suit, his careworn face is only vaguely human. His nub of a nose looks like a pair of pinholes. He is covered in brown nicks, like scars. His eyes are beady and black. He wears a malevolent smirk. Clasped in his lap he’s holding his own toy, a dog with garish, popping eyes and a too-big tongue lolling crazily out of its mouth.”
Those who have studied this doll and its history note that Robert is not only haunted, but he has been considered responsible for car accidents, broken bones, and other misfortunes including lost jobs and divorce. It is believed that photographers must get permission from Robert before they can snap his picture. They say the doll approves such a request by a slight tilt of his head. Visitors that forget often return to beg for forgiveness.
The legend that has grown around this old doll has made it somewhat famous as a figure to be visited on ghost tours and haunting tales. It is said that Robert was the inspiration behind Chucky in the film “Child’s Play.”
It is said that Robert was created in Germany over 100 years ago where one story said he was purchased as a birthday gift by the grandfather of the late artist Robert Eugene Otto, of Key West.
Another story stated that a Bahamian main bought the doll as a gift for Otto but then cursed the doll after members of Otto’s family did something that angered her. After the maid left the household strange things began plaguing the Otto household.
It was said that young Robert liked the doll and as children do, he enjoyed talking to it. Servants in the home claimed the doll sometimes talked back, changed facial expressions, and even moved around in the house on its own. Neighbors reported seeing the doll move from window to window when the family was away. Some people even reported hearing maniacal giggles coming from the doll.
While he apparently loved the doll, young Robert Otto also woke some nights screaming as heavy furniture crashed around. When his parents investigated the boy said: “Robert did it. It was Robert.”
The doll went on display in the Fort East Martello Museum after Robert Otto died in 1974. Museum curator Cori Convertito said he believed Robert Otto maintained an “unhealthy relationship” with the doll throughout his life. “He brought it everywhere, he talked about it in the first person as if he weren’t a doll; he was Robert. As in he is a live entity.”