Mum Sues Childcare For Sharing a Video of Her Terrified Toddler

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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19 Comments

- - K878 said
  - 02 Jan 2019
    8:19 am
If the Mother did not give permission for photos ect the the childcare is at fault here, in my opinion.

- - mom101628 said
  - 13 Dec 2018
    10:45 pm
The childcare centre is very wrong and should compensate this parent.

- - mom93821 said
  - 11 Dec 2018
    7:29 am
I do not blame her for suing! Such an invasion of privacy and surely a violation of a code of conduct for the worker. Distributing the image without permission is surely another offence. I hope she is successful in her action as this sort of thing needs to be stopped. Children need to be protected and not exploited by adults.

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 11 Dec 2018
    7:28 am
I wouldn not want my son to be videotaped and then shown on social media, that’s wrong.

- - Ellen said
  - 11 Dec 2018
    4:08 am
Absolutely wrong to violate privacy and post something without permission.
However I have the sense that this Mum’s dramatic response puts some oil to the fire.
- Mum2archer replied
  
  11 Dec 2018 , 12:45 pm
  I agree while it is wrong and very much an invasion of privacy, I think the mum is being very dramatic and over the top about it all which is probably making the child react even more
- - mom265671 said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    11:21 pm
Poor darling girl. As a parent I’m on her side. To violate privacy without permission is so wrong

- - mom153091 said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    10:16 pm
Both my kids went through daycare and I would have felt the same as this mother if something like this had of occured. Really is upsetting.

- - nealsq said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    9:58 pm
I would prefer to see someone running to comfort the child instead of posting her fear over the internet

- - becstalou said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    8:30 pm
Definitely shouldn’t be posting these sort of videos of children even if permission had been given to record the child.

- - ashna9 said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    8:24 pm
Unless permission is given this is illegal so she is within her rights to seek legal advice.

- - rnash02 said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    8:19 pm
Totally agree with the mother.

- - Myrlie said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    7:58 pm
Regardless of the mother denying the daycare permission to record her child, it should not have been posted on the internet. 100% with the Mum on this one

- - mom290396 said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    6:11 pm
Fair enough! I’m with the mother on this 1!

- - mom112217 said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    5:25 pm
I agree with her totally!

- - MuthaNita said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    4:46 pm
Appalling. Who in their right mind films a child that isn’t theirs and shares it on the internet. I hope the worker is slapped with a lawsuit as well. What’s awful is once you put something on the net it’s there for always. What was the worker even doing having their phone out during work hours. I would be beyond livid if this was my child.

- - BellaB said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    3:48 pm
I absolutely think her reaction is fair. I’d be furious.
- mom93821 replied
  
  12 Dec 2018 , 5:18 am
  I would be furious too and would follow up and want so many answers!
- - mom90758 said
  - 10 Dec 2018
    3:18 pm
Absolutely not nice. In particular because had denied permission to share images of their child!!