Individual accused of uttering racial slurs towards a child in a widely-shared video, faces misdemeanor charges.
In a shocking turn of events, Shiloh Marie Hendrix, a resident of Rochester, Minnesota, has been charged with three counts of disorderly conduct for an incident involving racial slurs at Roy Sutherland Playground. The incident, which went viral on the internet, has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
The charges against Hendrix carry a maximum of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for each count. The incident involved a disabled Black child, and Hendrix allegedly made racist slurs in reference to the child and another child at the playground.
The Rochester Branch of the NAACP has released a statement, calling the charges against Hendrix "an important and meaningful first step toward accountability and justice." Dr. WaleΜ Elegbede, Rochester NAACP President, expressed his concern, stating that when he met the victim, he could see the challenges the child faced and the seriousness of his disability. He added that Hendrix inflicted hatred, harm, racism, and trauma upon the child.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has also responded to the announcement, stating that Hendrix's behavior was horrible, wrong, and morally repugnant. He expressed hope that she is ashamed of her actions and is being held accountable. Rochester Mayor Kim Norton echoed these sentiments, expressing hope that the incident can begin the process of closure for the family and community.
Interestingly, Hendrix started a campaign on GiveSendGo, a Christian crowdfunding site, to raise money for her and her family, claiming they had been the target of online harassment. However, several donations to her campaign allegedly contained supportive, racist, or white nationalist remarks.
The viral video recording of the incident in April 2025 has brought the issue to the forefront of public discussion. It is hoped that this incident will serve as a catalyst for change and a reminder of the importance of respect and inclusion in our community.
