Woman Who Allegedly Called a Child a Racist Slur Has Raised $600K in Donations for Herself

Nationwide — Shiloh Hendrix, a White woman caught on video allegedly hurling a racial slur at a 5-year-old African American child in Rochester, Minnesota, has raised more than $600,000 for herself through a controversial online fundraiser. The incident, which took place on Monday, April 28, at a local playground, has sparked national outrage, with many denouncing the donations as a disturbing example of how racism is being rewarded rather than condemned.

The viral video, filmed by Sharmake Omar, shows Hendrix using the n-word while confronting a young child who Omar says is on the autism spectrum. Omar, who knows the child and his family, is heard in the footage questioning Hendrix’s behavior. In response, Hendrix appears to justify her actions by claiming the child “took my son’s stuff,” and shockingly adds, “If that’s what he’s going to act like,” when asked why she used a slur.

In the days following the public backlash, Hendrix launched a fundraiser titled “Help Me Protect My Family” on the Christian crowdfunding site GiveSendGo. She claimed her family had been “attacked,” her personal information had been leaked, and she might need to relocate. Initially seeking $50,000, Hendrix raised over $624,000 by Sunday, May 4, and has since raised her goal to $1 million.

The fundraiser was quickly flooded with comments from individuals expressing racist views and offering sympathies to Hendrix. Due to the nature of the messages, GiveSendGo disabled the public comments section. In a statement to The Washington Post, the platform’s founder Jacob Wells distanced the company from the views of campaign organizers or donors, saying it does not control their motivations.

In an update on the fundraiser, Hendrix thanked supporters, saying, “I’ve never felt so scared, yet reassured in my life.” Critics, however, say the campaign is profiting from hate and that the public response reflects deep racial divides in the country. The backlash has been particularly fierce given the age of the child and the racist nature of the incident.

The City of Rochester issued a formal statement condemning the video, calling it “deeply disturbing” and reaffirming its commitment to ensuring parks are safe and welcoming for all residents. The Rochester Police Department is currently investigating the incident, though no charges have been announced.