ATLANTA — Atlanta Police have arrested three people who were seen in a viral video appearing to verbally abuse and slap a young boy for being gay.
Police said the child is now in the care of the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) after the disturbing social media post surfaced last month.
The video also appears to zoom in and show “gay” shaved into the side of the boy’s head. It was shared widely on social media by people concerned for the child.
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Special Victims Unit investigators were able to locate three three suspects involved. Atlanta police arrested Lorkeyla Jamia Spencer, 19; Brittney Monique Mills, 35; and Jordan Jarrode Richards-Nwankwo, 18. All three were charged with cruelty to children. Richards-Nwankwo was also charged with family violence battery.
It’s unclear how the suspects are related to the child, who has not been identified.
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All three people are now being held at the Fulton County Jail.
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“The behavior in this social media post was difficult to watch and is absolutely unacceptable,” Atlanta Police said. “We are appreciative of the number of people who flagged this case with us and for those who provided information on the location where it took place.”
A fundraiser for the boy has been set up by Hope Giselle, a local LGBT rights activist, and Devin Barrington-Ward, who is running for Atlanta city council.