New York woman arrested, charged with harassing toddler with special needs

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/long-island-woman-arrested-harassing-toddler-special-needs-n1079466?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

Nov. 10, 2019, 11:36 AM EST

By Ben Kesslen


Jennie Riley and her daughter, Anna, who suffers from harlequin ichthyosis.

A New York woman was arrested and charged with harassing a child with special needs for a year on social media and through the mail.

New York State Police charged Krista Sewell, 26, of Meville, on Long Island, with aggravated harassment, stalking and a felony hate crime on Thursday.

Police say Sewell repeatedly threatened a toddler, Anna, who was born in 2017 with harlequin ichthyosis, a genetic disorder that creates hard, thick skin separated by deep cracks that can cause breathing difficulties, among other issues.

The girl's mother, Jennie Riley, had been sharing information about her daughter's condition on Facebook and Instagram in hope of educating the public about her condition, she told NBC New York in a statement.

"Although I knew there was a possibility for negativity, I never expected to receive the messages that were sent to me," Riley said.

From December to November, Sewell sent "numerous threatening messages to Facebook, Instagram and GoFundMe pages that had been set up by the victim's family," police said. She also sent threatening messages through the U.S. mail to the family's home in the Hudson Valley, police said.

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How sad, all around...

[Scarsdale]

1. The family needs

all the understanding they can get, with this difficult situation. Bullies come in all shapes, sizes and ages. The woman sending the hateful messages should stop and wonder what SHE would do if she had a child born with a health problem. "There, but for the grace of God" sort of thing. Glad she has been exposed for this hateful conduct. What a cute little girl, by the way.

[dewsgirl]

3. People like that, don't think that way. Unfortunately. Heartbreaking.

[Ilsa]

2. Why was she so hateful to that child and her family?

Is she just a sociopath? She was so proactive with her threats by sending them mail.

Much good as can be done using social media, but some people are wrecking balls.

[Dennis Donovan]

4. I'd guess the person is emotionally unwell...

[CaptYossarian]

5. Does her employer know about her stupidity?

It worked on those Charlottesville thugs.

[Tarc]

6. And the harassers defense is going to be just like BBQ Becky, Permit Patty

"I was having a bad day", "mental issues", etc...

[mahina]

7. Was kidding.

No.

[IronLionZion]

9. It was over a year of threatening messages and mail

so was she having a bad year? Weird

[IronLionZion]

8. Krista Sewell

Why do people have such hate in their hearts? People should know this behavior is wrong.

I'm anticipating excuses of mental illness or some weird religious beliefs.

[dalton99a]

10. Vile and sadistic.

I suspect there are other victims

[fleur-de-lisa]

11. WTF!!! What is wrong with this woman? Who would do this to a toddler?

[MineralMan]

12. These days, airing your sad story in public will almost always

result in attacks by right-wing assholes. It's one of the most unfortunate aspects of today's wide-open social media. From vile comments on news stories to personal attacks from followers on other social media platforms, your misfortune will become fodder for vicious attacks by people with no empathy for anyone.

This is truly regrettable. There is no moderation on most platforms, so the ugliness comes as soon as your story is public.