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Rochester’s city attorney has filed a draft complaint against Shiloh Hendrix, who was caught on camera earlier this year calling a young Black child a racial slur at a local playground.
Hendrix faced three counts of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor charge that carries a maximum of 90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine.
“This was a situation that deeply affected many people, especially our communities of color, and caused real turmoil in our community,” said Rochester Mayor Kim Norton. “We acknowledge the lasting impact this incident has had, not only on those directly involved and across our community, but also in the broader conversations happening at the state and national level.”
A video of Hendrix hurling the N-word at the child quickly circulated online last April. Hendrix said she received threats, and she started an online fundraiser that raised hundreds of thousands to help her move to another place.
The incident prompted widespread calls for legal action in Rochester, and the local chapter of the NAACP and others launched an online campaign for the child targeted with the slur. But the investigation was muddied when several different people came forward to law enforcement claiming to be related to the child in question, apparently in attempts to claim the money for themselves.
“This matter involved a large amount of evidence and required careful consideration of potential charging options across multiple offices,” the city said in a statement. “Given the sensitive and complicated nature of this case, along with the high level of public attention, completing the necessary reviews and conversations with the victim’s family took longer than usual.”
The draft complaint is subject to review and approval by a District Court judge.
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