A troubling incident of online bullying has emerged in Batesville, where a local football player has reportedly been targeted by a fake Instagram account, prompting concern from residents.
A journalist, Steven Harmeyer, took to his Facebook handle to denounce the harassment and pledge to expose the individual responsible. He wrote,
“A Batesville football player is being bullied by a fake account on Instagram — I do not stand for that,”
Steven Harmeyer
He added that he believes the perpetrator is a student or recent graduate from the same school, sending nasty messages and promising to report on the bullt once identified, noting that authorities were close to uncovering the person’s identity.
His post quickly gained attention, with residents expressing outrage and support for the young athlete, showcasing the ongoing challenge of cyberbullying in the community, as parents and citizens alike called for accountability and action.
Tara Borgman, who works at the South Ripley Community School, wrote,
I hope he is caught and gets the punishment he deserves!
Tara Borgman
Cheryl Blackburn wrote,
Bullying is an issue in the Batesville
Cheryl Blackburn
On the other hand, Mae Melinda Blanken added,
It’s everywhere.
Mae Melinda Blanken
One of the most powerful responses came from Diane Werner, who shared her own experience as a parent navigating bullying with her son, writing,
My son went through this and it’s heartbreaking! I got school officials, parents, and the police involved. It stopped immediately, but had been going on a while before I found out. Kids have NO idea the repercussions of their actions and it’s so sad! The parents need to take accountability for their mean-ass kids and set them straight before someone gets hurt!
Diane Warner
Her words resonated with many readers, emphasizing the vital role of parents in guiding children and intervening when harmful behavior occurs, especially in online spaces where anonymity can embolden bullies.
As the discussion continued, speculation about the identity of the person behind the account surfaced, with Brittany Ault asserting, “It’s Lauren’s mom, Kendra.”
However, this claim remains unverified, illustrating how rumors can spread quickly in small communities and potentially complicate already sensitive situations.
Other residents expressed shock and disbelief that bullying continues despite awareness campaigns and educational programs, with Brandy Lynn commenting,
“I can’t believe bullying is even a thing still! This is insane!”
Brandy Lynn
Bella Shields, reflecting on small-town dynamics, writing,
“Unfortunately, kids and adults are both equally guilty of boredom in small towns. They have nothing better to do than invest themselves in other people’s lives,”
Bella Shields
However, the Batesville school system has not yet released an official statement.
The post and ensuing discussion demonstrate a community unwilling to tolerate bullying, whether in person or online, and determined to see consequences for those responsible, signaling a clear message to local youth that harmful behavior has repercussions and that the town stands united in protecting its students.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Steven Harmeyer lives in Batesville, Indiana, United States.
- Harmeyer has been serving as the news producer at WLWT since December 14, 2022.
