A New York woman has been charged with using social media and the U.S. mail to harass a child who has a genetic disorder.
Krista Sewell of Melville, New York, was arrested last week on charges of aggravated harassment as a hate crime. The charge is a felony, The Associated Press reported.
Police said Sewell posted threatening messages on Facebook, Instagram and GoFundMe and sent letters to the girl for the past year, according to the AP. Police did not release the age of the child, WCBS reported.
Anna Riley, who is 2 years old and from Ulster County, New York, has harlequin ichthyosis, a condition that causes large plates on the skin that are separated by cracks, ABC News reported. The condition also affects breathing and movement, the AP reported.
Anna Riley's mother, Jennie Riley, says she uses social media to tell people about her daughter's condition, ABC News reported.
After news of Sewell's arrest broke, Jennie Riley wrote, "I hope so much that people learn there is someone on the other side of their keyboards and it's not ok to send hateful messages," ABC News reported.
About the Author
