Keaton, a sixth-grader at Horace Maynard Middle School in Maynardville in Union County, sparked a national conversation about bullying after a video of him went viral over the weekend. Angela Gosnell/News Sentinel
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The heartwarming story of a bullied East Tennessee boy who received support from around the world grew more complicated Monday as fake social media accounts solicited donations and some internet users leveled accusations of racism against the boy’s mother.
Kimberly Jones took a video of her son Keaton, a sixth-grader at Horace Maynard Middle School in Maynardville, tearfully describing how other kids poured milk on him, put ham down his clothes, made fun of how he looks and teased him for having no friends.
The video, posted by Kimberly Jones on Facebook just after noon Friday, racked up more than 18 million views and provoked emotional responses from an eclectic mix of famous actors, athletes, musicians and journalists until Jones made her Facebook account private early Monday amid intense scrutiny.
Confederate battle flags
The controversy centers in part on screenshots of an alleged Facebook post by Kimberly Jones that Internet users said they captured before she made her account private.
The post rails against Americans who are seen as protesting the American flag and contains pictures showing family members holding the Confederate battle flag. Keaton appears in one photo, holding an American flag and standing next to another boy who is holding a Confederate battle flag.
Some called Kimberly Jones’ alleged post racist and said they no longer had sympathy for Keaton. Others said the mother’s alleged views did not color their opinions of the son and his anti-bullying message.
The USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee has been unable to reach Keaton or Kimberly Jones for comment. A knock at the door of a home in Luttrell owned by a “Kimberly Jones,” according to state property records, went unanswered Monday afternoon. No vehicles were in the driveway. Several chickens and dogs ran loose in the yard.
More: Principal on Keaton Jones bullying video: ‘Not as rampant’ as video makes it seem
More: Crying East Tennessee boy’s viral anti-bullying video attracts attention of Vols, Titans
After screenshots of the Confederate battle flag post were shared, Twitter user @Lakyn_Jones, who says she is Keaton’s sister, tweeted, “My family will continue to support each other. You all can hate and tweet all you want but our faith…
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