Unfortunately, the media is not prevented from publishing the names of minors for any purpose. Many media outlets make it a policy NOT to publish the names (or other identifying information) for minors, but there is no law that would require them to do so. The question is why would you want to publish the name of an minor especially an 11 year old without proof that any real crime was committed. I feel like the station owes my son Kendrail Williams a public apology as well as other actions for causing my son humiliation, as well as pain, and suffering. 

Here is the back story: On September 5 WCJB decided to run a story about a written threat to shoot up the school that was made towards Westwood Middle School by two students age 11 and 15. The article gave a one sided story that the 15 year old gave to the responding officer after I as a concerned parent informed them of what was apparently going on at the time. My son Kendrail Williams at only 11 was automatically treated as the culprit of the crime without even being given the opportunity to tell his side of what occurred. Even though it is not illegal I feel like an 11 year olds name should not be allowed to be released to the public through media, especially without even being found guilty of a crime. This is not only slandering his name without any real proof that he committed any crime but it’s defamation of his character. What if someone decided they wanted to retaliate at my son or our family because of this, how is he suppose to return to a normal child hood being labeled as a threat to society, how is he suppose to go on to have a bright future in the rest of middle, high school, and even college where he has always dreamed of attending, with this out there for anyone to just put his name in and it pops up. By his name being released in the paper it not only affected my son but also his siblings and close family members who still had to attend school upon the release of the article and broadcast. There should be some type of law that protects minors names from being released in papers or broadcast on the news with no proof of a real crime being committed or who actually committed it. My son is an A, B honor roll student, in advance classes, who has perfect attendance and was accepted into the AVID Program which is a college prep program. He has dreams to go to college and become an architect and also play basketball for a living. He has always been a caring young man who looks out for the well being of others. I know it’s too late to take the article back but something has to be done because this is not acceptable.

Below is what the article stated:

By Patricia Matamoros | 
Posted: Thu 11:30 AM, Sep 05, 2019  | 
Updated: Thu 6:08 PM, Sep 05, 2019

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB)-- Gainesville Police arrested two children Thursday after parents alerted officers to posts threatening a mass shooting.

Officers say they learned of a fake Instagram account where a person that did not exist was threatening to "shoot up" Westwood Middle School and "a lot of people would die."

An investigation revealed the account was created by two students, Tahj Green and Kendrail Williams.

Police say at least one of the students didn't want to go to school today so they made fake threats to get school canceled.

Both were arrested for making written threats to kill or injure and taken to the Alachua County Juvenile Assessment Center.

GPD says they do not believe there is any real danger to the school.