No Elmo? NOW, What Do I Buy for Christmas?

Just a few weeks ago, I was ecstatic about Christmas coming.  This is my daughter's second Christmas, the first one where she can understand the idea of receiving gifts.  I've watched her the past few months to see for what toys she displays the most interest so I can figure out what will bring her the most joy this Christmas.

She's reached the age where Elmo just fascinates her.  I'm not sure if it's his little voice,  the fact that his name is easily said by those that don't talk well, or what; but most children go through a phase where they're Elmo-crazy! I don't care where we are, if there's an Elmo to be spotted, my daughter sees it.

So, now I have to make my first real "parental" decision as morals are concerned.  According to Sesame Workshop, Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash has resigned from "Sesame Street" in the wake of allegations that he had sex with an under-aged youth.

Last week a man accused Clash of having sex with him when he was a teenage boy, a charge Clash denied. A day later, the man recanted his charge. However, he turned around and said that he was coerced into recanting.  Not impossible, but it still makes a murky case.  THEN, a lawsuit by a second accuser was filed today, according to attorney Cecil Singleton.

Sesame Workshop called the controversy surrounding Clash's personal life "a distraction that none of us want" and led to his decision to leave the show.

So, what do I do as a parent?  Do I buy my daughter a doll of her favorite character and separate the character from its creator, or do I make the decision not to support Clash in any way until the truth is revealed, thus depriving my daughter of the most ultimate joy?