A Clayton County mother is demanding justice and accountability after a court hearing video involving her two teenage sons went viral, leading to widespread public exposure of the minors’ identities.
According to WSB-TV Channel 2 News, 14-year-old Dwayne Tolbert and 13-year-old Major Tolbert are facing criminal charges after allegedly opening fire at a birthday party in Clayton County, Georgia.
Authorities claim the shooting was in retaliation for being asked to leave the party, reportedly because they were not invited.
But their mother is calling the allegations “baseless” and is now speaking out against what she says is a larger failure of the juvenile justice system and the media’s role in sensationalizing unproven claims against minors.
“We demand an immediate investigation into my sons’ unlawful exposure by the media,” the mother said in a statement following the hearing. “There was no consideration for their dignity or mental [health].”
The mother also contends that she was not notified about the court appearance, raising serious concerns about due process and the rights of minors in criminal proceedings. She pointed out that no footage or evidence has been made public linking her sons to the alleged crime, and she insists they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Legal experts and juvenile justice advocates have pointed out that minors are typically granted protections from public exposure unless tried as adults—a distinction that has come into question in this case. Media outlets claim the boys’ names were released due to the adult-level charges, but the family argues the decision to publish their identities without consent violates their rights and has caused lasting reputational harm.
The mother believes the situation reflects a broader pattern of systemic injustice, particularly toward Black and minority youth who are often presumed guilty before having a chance to defend themselves.
In response, the family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for legal expenses, urging the public to support their fight against what they describe as an unjust process.
As the case continues to unfold, the mother is demanding that:
- The charges be dropped
- Media outlets issue accountability statements
- A formal investigation be launched into the exposure of her sons’ identities and the court’s conduct
No trial date has been announced, and the family is currently seeking legal representation to challenge the charges and the media coverage.
