MILLTOWN, Del. — As police continue to investigate the discovery of a hidden camera in a women's restroom in a Delaware restaurant, New Castle County police said Tuesday they're not sure how long a small digital camera was in place or who was involved.
The discovery of the device at Moe's Southwest Grill on Kirkwood Highway in Milltown was made March 19 but was confirmed Monday by police. It's not immediately clear why authorities waited more than a week to release the information.
The device was found by a restaurant employee, who told police that the camera was "placed in such a position as to be able to capture images of women using a specific toilet in the bathroom," said New Castle County Police Master Cpl. Jeffrey R. Hale.
On Tuesday, patron Robin Murphy said she was horrified to learn of the hidden camera. She said she eats at the restaurant at least once a week with her 7-year-old daughter.
"It freaks me out that there could be pictures of my poor little girl and her heinie hanging out and some creeper is looking at her photo," she said.
The women's bathroom was open Tuesday. It is a single-person unit with a lockable door, sink, toilet and trash can. A storage cabinet hangs above the toilet.
The men and women's bathrooms are located in the back of the restaurant near the employee exit and entrance to the kitchen.
Police have not disclosed exactly where in the bathroom the camera was located.
Calls to the restaurant seeking comment were not returned. Karlie Lahm, a spokeswoman for Atlanta-based Moe's, said they're monitoring the investigation.
"Moe's Southwest Grill corporate is aware and has been in contact with the owner of this franchised location as the safety of our guests is our top priority," Lahm said in a statement. "It is our understanding that the franchise owner is fully cooperating with authorities and their investigation."
According to its website, the chain has more than 600 restaurants both domestically and internationally.
The news of the discovery didn't seem to be affecting business Tuesday, as the parking lot at the fast-casual restaurant was packed around lunchtime. A family and a few couples dotted the many tables inside the restaurant and business continued as usual. The eatery, in the Midway Shopping Center, is surrounded by other fast-food and sit-down restaurants, as well as a few stores.
After learning of the hidden camera, Murphy said she's worried about what photos may exist of her daughter and herself. She frequented the restaurant from January until mid-March, but she won't be going back any time soon, she said.
Murphy said the incident has made her feel victimized and rekindled memories of a rape. The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal and USA TODAY generally do not identify victims of rape, but Murphy thought it was relevant to disclose.
"I've been attacked before, and it's always been my biggest fear that now that I have a daughter, I don't want it to happen to her," she said.
Others also have expressed outrage on social media over the discovery of the camera.
This isn't the first time that people have been caught hiding cameras in private bathrooms. Last March, a former University of Delaware doctoral candidate was sentenced to two years in prison for secretly recording hundreds of women in bathrooms at the school and in Newark. He was convicted of hiding cameras in at least 10 locations around the university and in Newark.
The state police Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate the camera, Hale said, and more information will be released in the future. At this point, Hale said specific details cannot be released.
Follow Brittany Horn on Twitter: @brittanyhorn
