It looks like Santa will be the one getting coal in his stocking this year.
The Forest City, North Carolina Santa who allegedly fat shamed a boy last Saturday quit Tuesday amid outcry.
Anthony Mayse, 9, says he sat on the not-so-Saint Nick’s lap and asked him for an iPod Touch and a drone for Christmas.
“And when I got done, he said, ‘Just lay off the hamburgers and French fries,’ ” Mayse told WTVD.
“That really just disrespected me. And I felt awful.”
Mayse said that he started crying as soon as he jumped off Santa’s lap, and tore up his photo with the usually-jolly man.
“It affected me so bad that I was crying until I went to bed that night,” Mayse told WLOS. “And I want to say to him, ‘You don’t want to disrespect a 9-year-old. Even though what shape and size you are, it doesn’t matter.”
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Forest City officials released a statement Wednesday about the matter.
“On Saturday, Dec. 3, the individual who played Santa Claus at the Santa House in Forest City made a remark that he regretted. He apologized to the parent, the child and the town. A town representative spoke to the mother on Monday and also apologized.”
“On Tuesday, that individual who portrayed Santa Claus and was scheduled for the next two Fridays and Saturdays has informed the town he would no longer provide his services as Santa to the town.”