Following an outpouring of support from concerned citizens and celebrities toward Keaton Jones — the young boy who was recorded speaking emotionally about being bullied — new controversy surrounding Keaton's mother has dramatically changed the narrative.
Hi @Lakyn_Jones, could you pass this message along to Keaton? ❤
Keaton's mother, Kimberly Jones, of Tennessee, recorded and shared a video to Facebook on Friday of her young son tearfully talking about being bullied by classmates at school.
The video had amassed well over 17 million views over the weekend, but his mom has since removed it.
On social media, celebrities and others are continuing to show compassion for Keaton and standing against bullying.
Kimberly Jones has not responded to BuzzFeed News inquiries, and she's deleted or privatized most of her social media presence. However, someone running an Instagram account claiming to be her has been responding to followers of Keaton's story and sharing donation channels for Keaton.
However, drama unfolded in strange and sudden succession on Monday when Kimberly's alleged Instagram account shared its own GoFundMe for Keaton to undercut and spite Lam's initial GoFundMe effort. (The "Give My Son A Good Christmas" campaign has since been deleted.)
People in the comments wondered why "Keaton's mother" would be trying to raise money and what the funds would be used for.
Some cast doubt over whether the Instagram post or account was authentic. They began directing people to another Instagram account claiming to be Kimberly.
However, the handle @_taylormadeq has had ties to different personalities and photos in the past.
Lakyn Jones, a woman claiming to be Keaton's sister and Kimberly's daughter, told BuzzFeed News the account @kimberlyjones_38 "is not affiliated with me or my family."
The two accounts now seem to be interacting with each other — but the original @kimberlyjones_38 account maintains that they are the real Kimberly Jones and have asked followers to report @_taylormadeq.
And if that's not enough, here's another twist: Before Kimberly's Facebook account was privatized, people claim to have discovered and screenshotted photos of the family holding the Confederate flag, as well as a Facebook post railing against those who protest the Confederate and/or American flag.
This doesn’t mean that the bullied kid should be bullied, but we should be aware of who we are centering. Again.
Kimberly Jones's alleged posts are being called racist (comments on her alleged Instagram are also flooded with similar labels).
Keaton Jones MOM is a next level racist who's posted in many offensive and non remorseful comments towards black pe… https://t.co/XxlsLXtHVb
Some quickly clarified to say they are not holding these new revelations against Keaton — but "towards your hypocritical, potentially racist mother who is using this for financial gain," one person wrote.
Just to clarify, the hate isn’t directed towards Keaton. It’s towards your hypocritical, potentially racist mother… https://t.co/mAqFN0pB78
"My heart goes out to anyone dealing with bullying, but wassup with the racist images on Keaton Jones' mom's facebook page? Wouldn't that kinda make her a bully too?"
My heart goes out to anyone dealing with bullying, but wassup with the racist images on Keaton Jones' mom's faceboo… https://t.co/YXydRqy5gL
While the footage of Keaton and his message about bullying continues to make a powerful impact online, people are questioning his mother's motives for filming him.
I’ve long been of the opinion that folks who put their children’s emotional breakdowns on YouTube are bad people so… https://t.co/PrKVzinUeU
Some are saying that if the allegations against Kimberly are true, they hope it could be a teachable moment for her as well.
His mom may be a terrible person, but Keaton still doesnt deserve to be bullied, no child does. I hope his mom gets… https://t.co/qKTAAYntpA
UPDATE: Kimberly and Keaton appeared on Good Morning America on Tuesday and addressed the controversy. About the Confederate flag photos, Kimberly said they were meant to be "ironic and funny and extreme."
Backlash over viral bullying video of Keaton Jones as mother's alleged online posts with the Confederate Flag spark… https://t.co/xrD90KZ2p7
“I feel like anybody who wants to take the time to ask anybody who I am or even troll through some other pictures, I mean I feel like we’re not racist,” she said.
“It was meant to be ironic and funny and extreme. I am genuinely, truly sorry. If I could take it back, I would."
Kimberly said she wants the final message amid the controversy to be about childhood bullying. "If they want to hate me and whatever that’s fine, but still talk to your kids,” she added. “Because [bullying] is an epidemic.”