The Covington High student who filmed and posted video of her disabled teacher being savagely beaten by another girl is likely to face increased penalties due to a law that went into effect in August.
Jennings State Representative Troy Romero’s Act 462 ups the fine for unlawfully posting videos featuring serious bodily injury or death from $500 to $2,000 and allows for up to eight years in prison.
Romero told WWL the video was highly disturbing, and unfortunately reminiscent of the violent act in his region that inspired the bill.
“It was so disturbing to watch that video, and almost to the point of tears, that a teacher would be subject to something like that from a child,” said Romero.
18-year-old Larrianna Jackson faces felony battery charges. The attack was initially reported to be inspired by a TikTok challenge. TikTok claims there is no such trend currently on the app. The attack was posted to Snapchat.
Romero called the filming of the beating selfish, and highly concerning.
“It’s all about glorifying themselves,” said Romero. “What they are doing is not right, it’s not godly, and it is not neighborly. Put the phone down and go help, call somebody, call the police or another teacher, or a principal, or run out in the hall and shout that there is something disturbing going on so that this does not happen.”
Romero called for the expanded penalties to be applied in this case.
“This is it, this is what it is for,” said Romero.
