A boy who is seen being abused in a viral video on social media has been placed in the custody of the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS).
In the video, the boy is verbally and physically abused by family members, including his own mother, because he has feminine tendencies.
The video shows the word “gay” shaved into the side of the child’s head.
Atlanta police said the video was shared thousands of times on social media before someone notified the authorities.
A number of Atlanta residents helped police locate the boy, named Tyler.
“The behavior in this social media post was difficult to watch and is absolutely unacceptable,” a spokesperson for the Atlanta Police Department said.
A GoFundMe account was created by Hope Giselle, a local LGBT rights activist, and Devin Barrington-Ward, who is running for Atlanta City Council.
“Tyler is now free from the traumatic experience of dealing and engaging with his biological family and is in the hands of the Atlanta DFACS,” a statement on the GFM page reads.
“We’ve all had the chance to witness the story of Tyler. A boy whose viral video of public humiliation based on his sexuality inflicted by his family has rocks both the LGBT and the black community via social media for the last two days. Community activist, celebrities, and organizers of all kinds have gathered together to ensure that Tyler is no longer is an occupant of the violent home featured in the video however, the story does not stop there.”
