‘Extra layer of disrespect’: Advocates, family share the aftermath of viral bullying incident

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — After the Bakersfield Police Department arrested two teenagers from Golden Valley High School allegedly involved in a bullying incident caught on camera, advocates and family say they are concerned about the effects the incident could have on the victim.

Effects like “Severe depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and even substance use,” according to Trauma Therapist Dr. Niesha Davis-Massey.

Massey said that those are just a few potential effects Ollivier middle-schooler Carter Lashaul, could experience after being tormented on camera by alleged Golden Valley High School bullies forcing him to lick one teen’s shoes.

This is a moment that still triggers strong reactions.

“The licking of the shoes was just an extra layer of disrespect, just showing this guy is at my disposal he’s nothing I can dominate this individual,” said Advocate Wesley Davis Jr. of the Wendale Davis Foundation.

Police arrested 14-year-old and 15-year-old suspects for battery, false imprisonment, and conspiracy. The family said the incident continues to take a toll on 12-year-old Lashaul even with the arrests.

“He tries to stay busy, he’ll try to be all over the place. I guess he’s trying to erase it from his mind. He asks me why did they do that to him, what can I say? I don’t know,” said Lashaul’s grandmother Bobbie Moorehead.

Massey said the only way we’ll know why the incident occurred is by understanding the possible traumas the perpetrators may be dealing with.

“They might be a product of someone bullying them and the way for them to maybe cope or to get over what they’ve experienced is displaying the same action towards somebody else,” said Massey.

Some, like Davis, believe an apology to Lashaul from the suspects needs to be made to heal the situation.

“If the perpetrators come up and say, ‘You know what we did was ignorant, it was disrespectful, it was uncalled for, it was uncalled for and we’re sorry’ I think that will do what sorry does for anyone,” said Davis.

But the family said it has not received anything remotely close but hopes that will change.

“It would make him smile probably, come and talk to him, come and let him know that they’re sorry that they apologize for what they did to him,” said Moorehead.

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