Latest news with #ChildProtectiveServices
The South African
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Tyler Perry comes under fire for using women's pain to fuel his films
Does Tyler Perry, pictured, use Black pain in his art a little too much? Image: Instagram/tylerperry Popular film director and mogul Tyler Perry faces backlash from fans and detractors for using women's pain in his movies. This is fresh off the back of his latest release, Straw, which has been the best-performing Netflix original since February. TYLER PERRY PUTS BLACK PAIN IN FOCUS A number of his films rely on the anguish of Black women. Whether they have to endure single parenthood, domestic abuse or infidelity, Perry does enjoy weaving these motifs into his work. Critics say these narratives enforce and perpetuate struggle and hardships. His depictions of Black women flourishing without having to endure are said to be too few and far between. WHAT IS TYLER PERRY'S LATEST FILM, STRAW ABOUT? His latest project stars the always sensational Taraji P. Henson alongside Janiyah Wiltkinson. As you might expect of Perry, in Straw, a struggling single mother has to do her best to keep things together when her entire life unravels in one day. Whose life spirals out of control in a single day? Janiyah Wiltkinson is doing her best to cope with a demanding life. She holds down a low-paying job while looking after her chronically ill child. On the day things get particularly demanding for her, she is confronted with an eviction, and she is then also humiliated at her job. This puts even more strain on her finances. Child Protective Services stepped in to relieve her of custody of her daughter, which is the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. WHAT TYLER PERRY'S RESPONSE HAS BEEN Critics have lamented this plot, and it has made people relook at his catalogue of cinematic offerings, with many finding fault with the actor and director. Perry remains steadfast and defends his approach vehemently. 'I say nothing to those who criticise my films for focusing on Black women's struggles, because they're right. They do. But that's reality, and I want to honour the women who raised me,' he explained in a recent interview. He maintains that these depictions draw from his experiences in witnessing his mother go through abuse. STRAW IS STILL A SUCCESS Straw is doing phenomenally around the globe on Netflix. His leading lady, Taraji P. Henson, whom Perry has worked with on many occasions, came to his defence. 'These women exist. Their stories deserve to be told,' Henson reportedly said. It is the role of art to reflect society, and the stories he tells are regular occurrences, the world over. The debate rests around his using narratives of this nature as a creative crutch and whether this is a slanted representation. WHAT'S YOUR VIEW ON TYLER PERRY'S PREFERRED METHOD OF STORYTELLING? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Commerce man sentenced in death of 10-week old baby
TULSA, Okla. — A Commerce man was sentenced to 20 years in a federal prison for the beating death of a 10-week-old girl. Michael David Gregory, 30, pleaded guilty in March to reduced charges of voluntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury, in the death of 10-week-old Amaya Mae Robison and the assault of her twin sister, both in Indian Country. Robison, of Vinita, died Dec. 3, 2022, from blunt force trauma to her head, according to her autopsy. The other twin sister also had a small brain bleed; however, she has made a full recovery, court documents show. U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill sentenced Gregory to three years of supervised probation following his release. The girls were two of four children whose mother had abandoned them. Child Protective Services took one daughter, according to court records, the other girls were left with a neighbor and Gregory's girlfriend at the time, Shanna Kimbro. The twins were just 10 days old when the mother left them with Gregory and Kimbro, court records show. Court records show Gregory 'had no idea how to care for a baby, much less two of them.' In his plea agreement, Gregory said he was responsible for the twin infants while his girlfriend went to work. Gregory confessed, 'I was often forceful when I picked up or laid down' the twin girls, 'which is not proper care for newborn infants.' On Dec. 1, 2022, he called his girlfriend, saying one of the infants had stopped breathing. Gregory is not a member of a federally recognized tribe. However, the apartment in which Gregory cared for the twins is located on the Quapaw Nation reservation, and both infants are considered 'Indian persons' because they are eligible for membership in the Choctaw Nation. Gregory will report to the United States Bureau of Prisons facility on July 22, court records show. Online court records show the biological mother has not been charged. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ms. Shirley, 4, is a TikTok sensation. Some fans are worried, and her mom is speaking out.
Ms. Shirley, 4, is a TikTok sensation. Some fans are worried, and her mom is speaking out. Latisha Tucker has always known her daughter, LaR'iyah, had star power. So when her 4-year-old went TikTok viral in February for line dancing to 803Fresh's hit song 'Boots on the Ground,' she wasn't surprised. LaR'iyah, known online as 'Ms. Shirley,' had gone viral before. But the TikTok, where she smiled while stomping with fringe boots and a pastel pink fan, brought her a new legion of fans. She grew to 981,000 followers on the platform, appeared on the Jennifer Hudson show and was featured in 803Fresh's music video of the song. What Tucker didn't expect, however, was how quick the stream of hate from viewers followed. Suddenly, the TikTok page's comment section was filled with viewers sounding off on everything from if the level of attention on LaR'iyah is excessive to if the dance moves are appropriate for a 4-year-old. 'When are we gonna stop exploiting our babies?' one commenter seethed. 'This is wild that we think this is OK,' another replied. The attention crossed a line after TikTokers posted videos stating they were calling Child Protective Services on Tucker. It's the latest instance of a parent receiving flak over posting their children online. When parents put their child on social media, they open themselves up for reactions that may be out of their control, says Leah Plunkett, author of 'Sharenthood: Why We Should Think Before We Talk About Our Kids Online' and a faculty member at Harvard Law School. Watch: Tips to prevent oversharing information about your kids online Who is viral sensation, Ms. Shirley? The earliest videos on the TikTok account feature hairstyles done by Tucker, who works as a hairstylist, and videos of LaR'iyah as a baby. LaR'iyah started teaching herself line dances by propping up Tucker's phone. By 2 years old, she was dancing to Megan Thee Stallion, the Wop dance club remix and GloRilla. The nickname 'Ms. Shirley' is one she's had since birth and has no correlation with actress Shirley Temple. Tucker says she knows haters come with the territory of being an online creator. She says those making response videos are looking to monetize discussion of LaR'iyah for their own platform, given her name recognition. 'A lot of them just joined the bandwagon of what somebody is saying,' Tucker says. Since going viral, LaR'iyah has taken part in more than 10 in-person events as a celebrity guest, including rodeo days, parades and family events. Her critics say these appearances give adults too much access to a small child. As her fame has grown, so has misinformation. Some posts criticizing Tucker that included videos showing adult men holding LaR'iyah turned out to be adults Tucker already knew. 'People just pick and choose and point out and place it in the timeline where it'll fit their narrative,' Tucker says, adding that she is always right beside LaR'iyah. 'You can't put the genie back in the bottle' The backlash toward Tucker heated up when some critics recently re-upped a video she'd posted in 2024 of LaR'iyah doing the 'Red Dress' trend. In the video, which has more than 3.7 million views, LaR'iyah puts on a red dress, heels, lipstick and a wig over lyrics over Johnny Gill's 1990 R&B song 'My, My, My.' Commenters argued the suggestive nature of the song could direct bad actors toward LaR'iyah's videos. Tucker says the video only started receiving backlash this spring, even though it's been up for more than a year. 'All she is doing is being a kid like any other kid. like when we were young as little girls, we put on our moms' lipstick, her dress or her wig and her heels, and that's all it was,' Tucker says. The difference, experts say, is that when those childhood moments are put out to viewers online, they can't be taken back. In the modern digital age, where photos and videos make a permanent trail, child influencers will come face to face with the digital footprint left in their childhood, says Stacey Steinberg, a law professor at the University of Florida's Levin College of Law and the director of the school's Center on Children and Families. 'You can't put the genie back in the bottle,' Steinberg says. 'We have a lot of kids whose relationship with society has been permanently altered by these decisions by parents.' Plunkett says children in the online spotlight may afterwards struggle developmentally to figure out who they are without adults writing the script for them. And posting about kids online can blur the boundaries in children's minds of what is real and what is imagination. 'That stage is also their home, their school, their community, trips they're taking with their parents,' Plunkett says. 'They are not going to understand what is their real life and what is their stage life, and that can have really complicated and in some instances, devastating consequences." More: From Snapchat to YouTube, here's how to monitor and protect your kids online The risk of sharing your child online Steinberg says parents considering posting their kids should weigh motivations for sharing with their children's rights to maintain their privacy and control over their own digital footprint. Parents who share their children online risk data collection and exposure to bad actors. Strangers may use information posted online to find personal details, like where a child attends school, and collect or share data, including innocent images of children, in ways the creator has little control over. Child creators also risk being on the receiving end of fans who develop unhealthy relationships, which can result in incessant interactions that cross personal boundaries and stalking. Steinberg says some kids might appreciate the financial income or platform that comes with sharing, but others might come of age and feel 'embarrassed or self-conscious' about information that was shared, especially if it doesn't line up with the person they hope to be in adulthood. Tucker says she plans to put LaR'iyah's money aside to use for future plans, like a college education, and that she hopes the publicity will give her a platform to pursue dance or singing. Her supporters tell her to keep dancing. On a Facebook fan page, nearly 30,000 followers, many of whom lovingly refer to themselves as internet aunties, dote over new photos of LaR'iyah donning blinged out outfits, post prayers for her family and promote her events. The comments are filled with messages of support: 'Keep on stepping babygirl!' 'Don't dim your shine.' 'Team Ms. Shirley forever.' Rachel Hale's role covering Youth Mental Health at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal Ventures and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. Reach her at rhale@ and @rachelleighhale on X.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ms. Shirley, 4, is a TikTok sensation. Some fans are worried, and her mom is speaking out.
Latisha Tucker has always known her daughter, LaR'iyah, had star power. So when her 4-year-old went TikTok viral in February for line dancing to 803Fresh's hit song 'Boots on the Ground,' she wasn't surprised. LaR'iyah, known online as 'Ms. Shirley,' had gone viral before. But the TikTok, where she smiled while stomping with fringe boots and a pastel pink fan, brought her a new legion of fans. She grew to 981,000 followers on the platform, appeared on the Jennifer Hudson show and was featured in 803Fresh's music video of the song. What Tucker didn't expect, however, was how quick the stream of hate from viewers followed. Suddenly, the TikTok page's comment section was filled with viewers sounding off on everything from if the level of attention on LaR'iyah is excessive to if the dance moves are appropriate for a 4-year-old. 'When are we gonna stop exploiting our babies?' one commenter seethed. 'This is wild that we think this is OK,' another replied. The attention crossed a line after TikTokers posted videos stating they were calling Child Protective Services on Tucker. It's the latest instance of a parent receiving flak over posting their children online. When parents put their child on social media, they open themselves up for reactions that may be out of their control, says Leah Plunkett, author of 'Sharenthood: Why We Should Think Before We Talk About Our Kids Online' and a faculty member at Harvard Law School. Watch: Tips to prevent oversharing information about your kids online The earliest videos on the TikTok account feature hairstyles done by Tucker, who works as a hairstylist, and videos of LaR'iyah as a baby. LaR'iyah started teaching herself line dances by propping up Tucker's phone. By 2 years old, she was dancing to Megan Thee Stallion, the Wop dance club remix and GloRilla. The nickname 'Ms. Shirley' is one she's had since birth and has no correlation with actress Shirley Temple. Tucker says she knows haters come with the territory of being an online creator. She says those making response videos are looking to monetize discussion of LaR'iyah for their own platform, given her name recognition. 'A lot of them just joined the bandwagon of what somebody is saying,' Tucker says. Since going viral, LaR'iyah has taken part in more than 10 in-person events as a celebrity guest, including rodeo days, parades and family events. Her critics say these appearances give adults too much access to a small child. As her fame has grown, so has misinformation. Some posts criticizing Tucker that included videos showing adult men holding LaR'iyah turned out to be adults Tucker already knew. 'People just pick and choose and point out and place it in the timeline where it'll fit their narrative,' Tucker says, adding that she is always right beside LaR'iyah. The backlash toward Tucker heated up when some critics recently re-upped a video she'd posted in 2024 of LaR'iyah doing the 'Red Dress' trend. In the video, which has more than 3.7 million views, LaR'iyah puts on a red dress, heels, lipstick and a wig over lyrics over Johnny Gill's 1990 R&B song 'My, My, My.' Commenters argued the suggestive nature of the song could direct bad actors toward LaR'iyah's videos. Tucker says the video only started receiving backlash this spring, even though it's been up for more than a year. 'All she is doing is being a kid like any other kid. like when we were young as little girls, we put on our moms' lipstick, her dress or her wig and her heels, and that's all it was,' Tucker says. The difference, experts say, is that when those childhood moments are put out to viewers online, they can't be taken back. In the modern digital age, where photos and videos make a permanent trail, child influencers will come face to face with the digital footprint left in their childhood, says Stacey Steinberg, a law professor at the University of Florida's Levin College of Law and the director of the school's Center on Children and Families. 'You can't put the genie back in the bottle,' Steinberg says. 'We have a lot of kids whose relationship with society has been permanently altered by these decisions by parents.' Plunkett says children in the online spotlight may afterwards struggle developmentally to figure out who they are without adults writing the script for them. And posting about kids online can blur the boundaries in children's minds of what is real and what is imagination. 'That stage is also their home, their school, their community, trips they're taking with their parents,' Plunkett says. 'They are not going to understand what is their real life and what is their stage life, and that can have really complicated and in some instances, devastating consequences." More: From Snapchat to YouTube, here's how to monitor and protect your kids online Steinberg says parents considering posting their kids should weigh motivations for sharing with their children's rights to maintain their privacy and control over their own digital footprint. Parents who share their children online risk data collection and exposure to bad actors. Strangers may use information posted online to find personal details, like where a child attends school, and collect or share data, including innocent images of children, in ways the creator has little control over. Child creators also risk being on the receiving end of fans who develop unhealthy relationships, which can result in incessant interactions that cross personal boundaries and stalking. Steinberg says some kids might appreciate the financial income or platform that comes with sharing, but others might come of age and feel 'embarrassed or self-conscious' about information that was shared, especially if it doesn't line up with the person they hope to be in adulthood. Tucker says she plans to put LaR'iyah's money aside to use for future plans, like a college education, and that she hopes the publicity will give her a platform to pursue dance or singing. Her supporters tell her to keep dancing. On a Facebook fan page, nearly 30,000 followers, many of whom lovingly refer to themselves as internet aunties, dote over new photos of LaR'iyah donning blinged out outfits, post prayers for her family and promote her events. The comments are filled with messages of support: 'Keep on stepping babygirl!' 'Don't dim your shine.' 'Team Ms. Shirley forever.' Rachel Hale's role covering Youth Mental Health at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal Ventures and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. Reach her at rhale@ and @rachelleighhale on X. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Ms. Shirley? Why there's a controversy over the 4-year-old
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Detroit mom charged after 3-year-old dies from alleged child abuse by boyfriend
The Brief A Detroit mother has been charged with murder, torture, and child abuse in the March death of her 3-year-old son. Prosecutors say Brianna Simmons' son had been seen several times by Child Protective Services with injuries, including broken bones, and that she allowed her boyfriend to assault the child. Simmons is being held without bond, and charges are pending against her boyfriend, who is not yet in custody. DETROIT (FOX 2) - For several months, Child Protective Services removed a 3-year-old boy from his mom's care, only for him to end up back at her home. That ended in March, when the Wayne County Prosecutor says the child died. Now his mom has been charged. Brianna Simmons was arraigned Monday on murder, torture, and child abuse charges for the death of her son, who died in March after several removals by CPS. Simmons was arraigned via Zoom on Monday where she did not say anything and a not-guilty plea was entered by her court-issued attorney. According to prosecutors, when CPS removed the child from the home, the boy had injuries at different times, including broken bones. The Wayne County Prosecutor said Simmons allowed her boyfriend to live and stay at the family home and assault her son. The prosecutor also said she ignored obvious abuse and went to five different facilities to try and get care for her son. According to the prosecutor, this was done to hide the cause of the child's injuries. Her boyfriend is not in custody at this time, but charges are pending. Simmons is being held without bond and has been ordered not to have contact with her older children. The Source Simmons was in court for arraignment on Monday, where details on the charges were revealed.
