Nu Metal frontwoman Otep Shamaya is standing up for Quaden Bayles as backlash against the nine-year-old Brisbane, Australia boy continues to grow on social media networks. Quaden went viral on Wednesday when his mother, Yarraka Bayles, live-streamed a video on her personal Facebook account showing the aftermath of her son being bullied in his school. According to Yarraka, her son was suicidal and begged to die after bullies teased him due to his height. Quaden was born with the condition achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, and was seen hysterical and in tears as he threatened to kill himself. Now, some skeptical people are calling it an act. They are also accusing Quaden of not being a nine-year-old bullied child, but an 18-year-old, gun-toting, money-hungry scam artist who wants fame. By mid-Friday, the hashtag #hes18 was trending just as much as #IStandWithQuaden.

Otep was quick to respond to the controversy and though she said she understood why people were skeptical, she pointed out that the critiques were another form of bullying.

Otep shared the following video and statement on her official Twitter account. She has also shared Quaden’s story on her official Instagram account.

You may see the original video that Yarraka Bayles shared on her official Facebook account below. Now that many are scrutinizing the details of Quaden’s story, some are even calling into question if Yarraka had ulterior motives for filming her son’s breakdown live. Yarraka clearly states in the video that she was looking for help and that Quaden is suicidal on a daily basis due to bullying.

In the video below, you can hear as Quaden asks for a knife to kill himself and says he wants to stab himself in the heart.

Otep has continued speaking out in defense of Quaden and has shared and retweeted multiple videos, photos, and articles in his defense.

She shared these photos that show he is nine-years-old and not an 18-year-old.

#QuadenBayles He's 18 ? No he's actually 9, like he says. These posts prove that they ain't lying. Look at the dates, he turned 9 two months ago.

— Gianni (@El_bandito11) February 21, 2020

What do you think about the Quaden Bayle’s story? Do you believe that he is a nine-year-old child who is being bullied?

Advertisement

Do you agree with those who say hie is really an 18-year-old adult trying to scam people for money? Comedian Brad Williams launched a Go-Fund-Me campaign for Quaden that has raised nearly $400,000 for the little boy.