SENECA, SC (FOX Carolina) -An Upstate assistant principal has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of cyberbullying a 6-year-old girl.
The kindergartner's family said it all started at the Seneca Walmart, when the young girl's picture was snapped by another customer. They say the man then posted it online to social media as a joke.
That picture is now being shared throughout the community. It was posted unedited, showing a clear view of the 6-year-old's face with the words "Honey Boo-Boo at Walmart."
"I was very shocked to see it's my cousin," said family member Briana Smith. "He wants to put a kid that's 6 years old with health problems out there about her weight and make fun of her? And that's not right."
The girl's family said seeing the likes, reading the comments on the poster's page makes it worse. They say, this is a joke they don't find funny at all. They said the little girl is dealing with health issues related to her weight and now feels very uncomfortable.
"Before she goes out in public, she tries on different outfits because she feels like she's too big," said Smith.
Oconee School Superintendent Dr. Mike Lucas confirmed that Walhalla High School Assistant Principal Charlie Fowler is on administrative leave while personnel issues are being looked into.
We were also told by the little girl's family that they plan to talk to the superintendent on Tuesday.
The community seems to be rallying around the little girl, penning an online petition. On it, is a letter to the school district and the Walhalla High School principal, asking them to terminate Fowler.
Even Fowler's son signed the petition, calling his father's actions "unacceptable." His daughter, a teacher herself, scolded him in a comment on his original post. That post has since been removed and Fowler's Facebook page, made private.
FOX did reach out to Fowler, but he has not responded to our request for comment.
The kindergartner's family said it all started at the Seneca Walmart, when the young girl's picture was snapped by another customer. They say the man then posted it online to social media as a joke.
That picture is now being shared throughout the community. It was posted unedited, showing a clear view of the 6-year-old's face with the words "Honey Boo-Boo at Walmart."
"I was very shocked to see it's my cousin," said family member Briana Smith. "He wants to put a kid that's 6 years old with health problems out there about her weight and make fun of her? And that's not right."
The girl's family said seeing the likes, reading the comments on the poster's page makes it worse. They say, this is a joke they don't find funny at all. They said the little girl is dealing with health issues related to her weight and now feels very uncomfortable.
"Before she goes out in public, she tries on different outfits because she feels like she's too big," said Smith.
Oconee School Superintendent Dr. Mike Lucas confirmed that Walhalla High School Assistant Principal Charlie Fowler is on administrative leave while personnel issues are being looked into.
We were also told by the little girl's family that they plan to talk to the superintendent on Tuesday.
The community seems to be rallying around the little girl, penning an online petition. On it, is a letter to the school district and the Walhalla High School principal, asking them to terminate Fowler.
Even Fowler's son signed the petition, calling his father's actions "unacceptable." His daughter, a teacher herself, scolded him in a comment on his original post. That post has since been removed and Fowler's Facebook page, made private.
FOX did reach out to Fowler, but he has not responded to our request for comment.
