The family of a 14-year-old boy who was falsely accused of stealing a cellphone at a Manhattan hotel is filing a lawsuit. Video appeared to show 22-year-old Miya Ponsetto violently confronting Keyon Harrold Jr. and falsely accusing him of taking her phone.
A hotel manager also approached the boy and asked to see the phone, which he did not have.
On Wednesday, the family filed a lawsuit against both Ponsetto and the hotel.
“This is racial profiling 1-0-1 America,” said attorney Ben Crump.
“They violated the human rights law of New York City,” attorney Paul Napoli added.
“This is a test — New York, will you back this law up?” asked the boy’s mother, Kat Rodriguez.
The hotel has apologized, and Ponsetta faces multiple criminal charges.
