Minnesota Woman Pleads Not Guilty After Viral Video Shows Her Using Racial Slurs Toward Black Child
ROCHESTER, Minn. — A Rochester woman accused of repeatedly using racial slurs toward an 8-year-old Black child at a local playground has pleaded not guilty, months after a viral TikTok video brought the incident to national attention.
Playground Confrontation
According to a criminal complaint, Shiloh Hendrix, 36, confronted a boy at Roy Sutherland Playground on April 28 after she saw him take an applesauce pouch from her diaper bag. Witnesses said she chased the child, shouting at him and “repeatedly using the N-word.”
A bystander recorded the incident, asking Hendrix why she used racist language toward a child with autism. In the video, Hendrix replied that she could call the boy the slur “if he acts like one,” before cursing at the man, repeating the insult toward him, and making obscene gestures.
The video went viral on TikTok but has since been removed.
Charges and Legal Response
The Rochester City Attorney’s Office charged Hendrix in late August with three misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct, noting the investigation took longer than usual due to the large amount of evidence and discussions with the victim’s family.
Through her attorney, Hendrix entered a not guilty plea by letter on September 23. Her arraignment, originally scheduled for October, was waived.
Her attorney has requested a written complaint and a pretrial hearing as the case proceeds.
Community Response
Rochester Mayor Kim Norton said the incident left deep scars in the community. “This was a situation that deeply affected many people, especially our communities of color, and caused real turmoil. These moments remind us of the far-reaching impacts of situations like this,” she said.
Community members and advocacy groups have since called for stronger accountability for racist incidents in public spaces, particularly those targeting children and vulnerable individuals.
Fundraiser and Online Backlash
Following the incident, Hendrix launched an online fundraiser, saying her family faced harassment and needed to move away from Rochester. The campaign has collected more than $800,000, with some donors openly expressing white nationalist views in comments.
In an update, Hendrix said she used the funds to purchase a new home and pledged to use future donations to fight the charges. “I guarantee you that I will NOT be backing down, and I WILL be fighting back,” she wrote. “In the United States, we are protected by the First Amendment, and no amount of hurt feelings can change that.”
Do you believe viral videos are helping bring accountability for racist behavior, or do they risk amplifying harmful voices? Share your views in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
Source: bringmethenews.com
