Woman in Viral Video Using Racial Slur at Child Raises Over $600K
A Minnesota woman, Shiloh Hendrix, has garnered significant attention after a video surfaced showing her allegedly directing a racial slur at a 5-year-old Black child on a Rochester playground, according to reports. The incident, which occurred on April 28, 2025, was captured by bystander Sharmake Omar and quickly went viral, sparking widespread outrage.
In the footage, Hendrix is seen confronting the child, who is reportedly on the autism spectrum, and using the n-word. When Omar questions her language, she justifies her actions by claiming the child had taken items from her son's diaper bag. Hendrix further defended her remarks, stating, "If that's what he's going to act like."
Following the backlash, Hendrix initiated a fundraising campaign titled "Help Me Protect My Family" on the Christian crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo. She cited concerns for her family's safety, claiming they had been subjected to threats and that personal information had been leaked online. Initially set with a goal of $50,000, the fundraiser has since surpassed $600,000, prompting Hendrix to increase the target to $1 million.
The campaign has drawn criticism, particularly as many donors left comments expressing racist sentiments. In response, GiveSendGo disabled the comment section, emphasizing that the platform does not endorse the views of its users.
In contrast, the Rochester chapter of the NAACP launched its own fundraiser to support the affected child and promote anti-racism initiatives. This campaign raised over $320,000 before closing at the family's request.
The Rochester Police Department has completed its investigation into the incident and forwarded findings to the City Attorney's Office for potential charges. Authorities have acknowledged the event's emotional impact and urged the community to remain patient as the legal process unfolds.