Dallas Can't Close Strip Club Where Girl, 12, Danced
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The city cannot shut down a Dallas strip club just because a 12-year-old danced nude there.
The city ordinance that regulates sexually oriented businesses does not allow authorities to revoke the license of such a business for employing someone under 18.
"There's a laundry list of things we can use to deny or revoke a license, but having a 12-year-old dancing in their establishment is not one of the things that automatically enables us to revoke their license," said Lt. Christina Smith, a Dallas police vice unit commander who oversees licensing of such establishments.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Authorities say that over a two-week period last year, the sixth-grader danced at Diamonds Cabaret. They also say they found a 17-year-old girl working in the club in January.
Police are continuing to investigate whether the club's management knew that the girl — a runaway at the time — was underage.
In a faxed statement, the strip club management said it was "shocked and startled" by the allegations.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
"Diamond's Cabaret does not condone, support, nor promote, the delinquency of minors or exploitation of children," the statement read.
Demonica Abron, 27, who worked as a stripper in the club, and David Bell, 22, have been charged with felony sexual performance of the child in connection with making the 12-year-old work at the club. Both are also accused of engaging in organized crime.
Bell is accused of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and aggravated kidnapping. He was being held at the Dallas County Jail on Thursday in lieu of a $450,000 bond. It was unclear if Bell had an attorney.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Abron also faces a prostitution charge. A telephone number listing for her could not be found.