Ronald Carroll McDonald (February 25, 1926 – August 7, 2011) was an American convicted child molester known for playing Santa Claus for over 25 years before confessing to his crimes.

McDonald had been a prominent figure in Lake Forest Park, Washington as a year-round Santa, who volunteered his time at least six days a week to working with children, including those in the Seattle area hospitals.

Starting in 1982, McDonald would pose in pictures during the holiday season at the Lake Forest Park Towne Centre, where he gained much of his recognition.

While a few acquaintances found his fondness of children a bit obsessive, most of his friends, neighbors and Lake Forest Park residents were shocked to learn of McDonald's secret life.

[13] McDonald said he would groom his child victims through his volunteer work as a babysitter at the Bethany Baptist Church of Kenmore's nursery, as well as during the Holiday season playing Santa in the shopping mall, and at UW Medical Center; but would wait to molest them until they were actually at his house.