NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Some influencers have won in court after legal action targeting their coverage of a missing Tennessee teenager.
Sebastian Rogers was last seen on February 25, 2024. Several YouTubers and TikToker content creators joined the search by March sharing theories, searching areas and gaining a following. However, that exposure quickly led to legal trouble.
Two separate cases were filed — one in Sumner County and the other in Pennsylvania.
“The whole reason we are here is because I wouldn’t let people violate my freedom of speech,” Andra Griffin, also known on YouTube and TikTok as “Bullhorn Betty,” said.
“There is so much drama and different avenues for people to go down that it surpasses just the idea that a child vanished,” YouTuber owner of the channel ‘Granny’s Watching’ Jessica Seng described.
“Nobody should ever entertain a frivolous lawsuit against people who just don’t agree with your opinions, and that’s really what I think it boils down to,” YouTuber Stephanie Trude, known online as ‘BBQ Lady,’ expressed. “Just the worst part is that it is all on the back of a missing child.”
The first case involved a protection order filed by Sebastian’s mother and stepfather against Griffin that accused her of harassment and stalking.
“I’ve never talked to these people,” Griffin said. “I’ve never tried to interview these people. I’ve never knocked on their door.”
They later claimed Griffin violated that order, citing hashtags and online comments. However, a Sumner County grand jury declined to indict her due to a lack of evidence, ending the case.
“When it comes to my speech, it has emboldened me more because it anchored me,” Griffin expressed. “Like how dare someone trample on my freedom of speech? I’m from Florida, and this is a public interest case, and I’m entitled to my opinions.”
In the Pennsylvania case, Sebastian’s biological father Griffin, Dog The Bounty Hunter, and seven others sued two YouTubers, Trude and Jessica Seng, as well as 50 additional people who were not named for harassment and endangering their safety.
“The entire frivolous nature and the financial strain that it brought upon us because nobody has tens of thousands of dollars lying around just to find legal representation,” Trude explained.
“A lot of what was quoted in this litigation just simply never took place,” Seng affirmed.
The judge dismissed the case, saying that as public figures, they have a higher bar to reach when raising defamation allegations. The judge ordered the plaintiffs to pay the defendant’s legal fees.
“It has made me never want to help use my platform to raise awareness because this has obviously cost an enormous financial impact on us both, and we were spreading awareness, doing our due diligence,” Trude expressed.
“A lot of people come out here and they will say, ‘I heard’ and it will be a thirty-minute discussion based around a rumor,” Seng said. “It’s a thin line to walk, but ultimately I think the most important thing is for people to remember the attention needs to remain on Sebastian.”
As of publication, NewsNation affiliate WKRN is awaiting a response from Dog The Bounty Hunter’s team.