White woman stands trial over claims she called autistic black boy, 8, racist word in playground during fight over applesauce

By JOE HUTCHISON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 14:38, 21 July 2026 | Updated: 14:45, 21 July 2026 A white woman has gone on trial over claims she racially abused an autistic black boy in a playground after a spat over applesauce.  Shiloh Hendrix, 37, was filmed allegedly calling a young black boy the 'N-word' at a park in Rochester, Minnesota, last April. Video of the exchange went viral and Hendrix was charged with three counts of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor charge with a maximum of 90 days in jail.  Hendrix, who has pleaded not guilty, appeared on Monday in Olmsted County District Court as jury selection got underway for her trial.  The jury will decide whether her behavior was unlawful and likely to cause violence, or if her words are protected under the First Amendment.  According to KTTC, Hendrix's lawyer Brian Karalus raised concerns that he did not have a list of witnesses that the state intended to call during trial.  Prosecutors said they would not release their witness list due to safety concerns, they also said that Karalus knew this and had made no prior objections, the outlet said.  KAALTV reported that right wing activist Jake Lang was in court as proceedings got underway, while protestors outside held sings calling for Hendrix to be freed.   Jury selection is expected to continue today which will be followed by opening statements.   Shiloh Hendrix, 37, was filmed calling a young black boy the 'N-word' at a park in Rochester, Minnesota , last April  Hendrix is seen here inside Olmsted County District Court as jury selection got underway on Monday According to the complaint, the boy's father had taken his three children to the park and seen his 'profoundly and visibly autistic' eight-year-old son take applesauce from Hendrix's diaper bag.  The father and Hendrix then chased the boy in an attempt to get the applesauce back, but Hendrix began yelling the slur at him. Another park goer who had witnessed the incident then confronted Hendrix and began recording her, according to the complaint.  The man recording asked her why she called the child the slur and as he pressed further Hendrix became more enraged and 'raised her middle finger at him, cursing at him, and using the same epithet against him.' 'When asked if she was about to hit the child, she said "Yeah! He took my son's stuff!" and said "That little f***ing kid did,"' the complaint said.  Hendrix then said: 'I don't give a s***', before telling the man recording to 'f*** off.'  The complaint stated that Hendrix 'wrongfully and unlawfully engaged in offensive or abusive language that would reasonably tend to arouse alarm, anger, or resentment in others.'  The parents of the boy issued a statement that was delivered during an NAACP town hall last year.  The jury will decide whether her behavior was unlawful and likely to cause violence, or if her words are protected under the First Amendment  The complaint stated that Hendrix 'wrongfully and unlawfully engaged in offensive or abusive language that would reasonably tend to arouse alarm, anger, or resentment in others' President Walé Elegbede read the statement for the parents, claiming they wish to remain anonymous due to safety concerns. 'We as the parents of the young boy, demand that those responsible for this tragic event, the unimaginable pain that has affected our beloved child, be held fully accountable. Our child deserves justice and we will not rest until it is served,' the statement said. The video of Hendrix went viral last May, but further controversy arose after she created an online fundraiser which raised more than $800,000.  She claimed her $1 million goal was to protect her family and relocate after being doxed when the video went viral.  'My name is Shiloh and I have been put into a very dire situation. I recently had a kid steal from my 18 month old son's diaper bag at a park. I called the kid out for what he was,' the page stated. Hendrix was charged with three counts of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor charge with a maximum of 90 days in jail  'My family members are being attacked. My eldest child may not be going back to school. Even where I exercise has been exposed.' The support shown toward Hendrix drew criticism online, with many questioning the motivations behind the donations and expressing concern over the message it sends regarding accountability for racist behavior.  Hendrix posted an update in June that said her family was doing great and that 'life-changing events are at play.' 'I appreciate all of you who didn’t fall for the silly misinformation that was being spread about me,' she wrote.  'Thank you for defending my truth, and being wise enough to know better. Keep standing up for yourselves, and keep fighting for the First Amendment!'