Mum of a toddler who received unwanted fame from a viral video of her terrified of the Easter Bunny is suing the day care where the video was taken.
Cassandra Bryson claims she signed a form denying permission to photograph or record her two year old toddler, Surai Bryson.
The video was shared in March on Snapchat by a day care employee, then viewed thousands of times online and even made its way to television, showing Surai’s horrified reaction when a person dressed as the Easter bunny walked into the day care classroom, shares Daily Mail.
Ms Bryson claims Surai is now in therapy to cope with the scare and fall out of becoming an internet sensation.
‘What’s most upsetting is that this will be forever. There will never be a time that we can put this behind us. I do believe for years to come that this will rehash and come back up on social media,’ Ms Bryson said.
The lawsuit claims the day care violated the family’s privacy request especially after Surai’s mother had filled out a form expressly forbidding the day care from videotaping the little girl.
‘As a result of these actions, the lawsuit seeks damages against the daycare center for the severe emotional trauma and mental distress Surai suffered,’ said Attorney Scott Leeds. ‘This video continues to be viewed across global social media platforms where some people continue to make derogatory and racist comments.’
‘The world now knows my daughter as the screaming African-American baby, and it’s become a racial issue online. It has gone to places that I couldn’t have even imagined,’ Ms Bryson stated.
She added: ‘I’m just hurt because you can see the distress in her face, and it’s bringing millions of people so much joy and laughter.’
‘This should never happen again. I know it won’t, but if there’s something that could be done in regards to cellphone policies at schools and focusing on education for children, which is the main goal for sending children to day care – getting a head start – it’s definitely what I’m looking to be the outcome of this,’ Ms Bryson said.
The day care said it is investigating the incident, and has made no comment on the video.
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