Man with homemade roller coaster in backyard arrested on child molestation charges

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Parents in a DeKalb County community fear a roller coaster that a neighbor built for his children and others somehow played a role in 35-year-old Dectavious Moore's arrest on accusations of child molestation.

An employee with the Housing Authority of Lithonia tore down the homemade roller coaster, and many want to know if he used the roller coaster to lure children.

"The things he was doing for his children was just a persona to lure other kids," one neighbor told Channel 2 Action News.

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Some neighbors said they wouldn't let their kids near the ride, which was made mostly of PVC pipes and wood, but they didn't think the man who built it would be accused of child sex crimes.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Moore built the roller coaster in his backyard and neighbors said it has only been around for a few months.

GBI agents arrested Moore on Wednesday night at a Lithonia public housing complex on Kelly Street.
Authorities could not confirm if the disturbing crimes took place near the ride hidden in the woods.

Agents said they found evidence of sexually explicit images of children made at the complex.

The investigation into Moore started in Newton County in September of 2017.

Authorities said a child's parent called 911 on Moore; sheriff's deputies charged him with enticing a minor, and he bonded out of jail.

Evidence uncovered on his phone over the past year led the GBI to find as many as eight victims. Only three have been positively identified, according to GBI. The victims are black girls ranging from ages 7-14.

Neighbors told Channel 2 Action News they are glad both the roller coaster and Moore likely won't be coming back anytime soon.

Moore remains in the DeKalb County Jail, being held without bond.

He also faces sexual battery and enticing a child charges. Additional charges against Moore are expected.

The GBI urges any parent who encountered Moore to call them at (404) 244-2600.

Cox Media Group