Boy, 6, pleads for end to violence in Facebook post
ST. LOUIS — A viral Facebook post is serving as a public service announcement from a 6-year-old boy who wants the violence to stop.
Jeffrey Laney, 6, is afraid for his life and those of his loved ones because of the violence in St. Louis.
His mother, identified on Facebook as LeeLee Cheatham, posted a video of her son calling for a stop to violence. The video, originally posted May 15, has been viewed more than 85,000 times.
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"I'm really scared to die. And I'm really scared for my family to die," said Jeffrey in the nearly five minute video.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Leanndra Cheatham said her son saw her struggle with the death of her 17-year-old cousin. And he was bothered by it.
"And this stuff is making people feel bad, cuz people not supposed to be doing this around kids," Jeffrey said. "I'm a kid and I'm not supposed to be knowing all this stuff. I'm not supposed to be knowing about all these guns."
Community leader James Clark of Better Family Life said more social service organizations need to reach out to families in crime-ridden areas, especially when it comes to parenting. Clark said they visit homes and make assessments to families in need of help, especially when it comes to improving parenting skills.
St. Louis has seen a number of violent incidents against children lately.
A 5-year-old was shot in the chest in North St. Louis on Saturday. Days earlier, an 8-year-old accidentally shot himself in the stomach. And St. Louis police said a 13-year-old boy was shot by another 13-year-old in North St. Louis.
Jeffrey just hopes something is done soon.
He cautions that all the killing isn't going to get people anywhere but in jail.
"I mean, getting their but kicked or they're going to end up in jail," he said.
But he said, "God is my weapon," adding God will keep him safe.
Follow Christina Coleman on Twitter: @ChristinaKSDK