Robert, the Doll

Discover the chilling origin of Robert the Doll, an infamous plaything that has haunted Key West for over a century. This video delves into the story of his first owner, a young boy named Gene Otto, and the bizarre and terrifying events that unfolded in their home in the early 1900s. From mysterious, childish giggles echoing in empty rooms to objects being thrown by unseen hands, we explore the unsettling accounts that led Gene's family to believe the doll was not just alive, but malevolent. Learn how this seemingly innocent gift became the source of lifelong fear and the beginning of one of America's most enduring paranormal legends.
The story doesn't end with Gene's childhood. We follow Robert's eerie journey as he passes to new owners and eventually finds his current home, encased in glass at the Fort East Martello Museum. Now considered by many to be the most haunted object in Key West, visitors claim Robert still causes mischief and misfortune for the disrespectful.