A Minnesota jury has returned a split verdict in the case of Shiloh Hendrix, a woman accused of directing racial slurs at a Black child and a bystander during an incident at a public park that drew national attention.
Hendrix was convicted on one disorderly conduct charge involving the videographer who recorded the encounter but was acquitted on a separate disorderly conduct charge related to the child.
Incident
The incident occurred in April 2024 at Soldiers Field Park in Rochester, Minnesota.
According to prosecutors, Hendrix confronted an 8-year-old Black boy after accusing him of taking applesauce from her diaper bag.
A bystander began recording the interaction, capturing Hendrix using racial slurs directed at both the child and the person filming.
The case received widespread attention after the video circulated online.
Trial
Hendrix, 36, stood trial in Olmsted County District Court on disorderly conduct charges.
One of the original three charges filed against her was dismissed before trial.
Jurors were asked to determine whether Hendrix’s words constituted “fighting words,” a category of speech that is generally not protected under the First Amendment because it is likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction.
Verdict
After more than nine hours of deliberations, the jury returned a split verdict.
| Charge | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Disorderly conduct involving the videographer | Guilty |
| Disorderly conduct involving the child | Not guilty |
The verdict indicates the jury found sufficient evidence to convict Hendrix for her conduct toward the videographer but not for the charge involving the child.
Sentence
The court sentenced Hendrix to:
- Supervised probation.
- 200 hours of community service.
- A $1,000 fine.
Her attorney said the conviction will be appealed.
Testimony
During the trial, the child’s father testified through an interpreter about the events at the park.
According to court testimony, he saw one of his sons reach into Hendrix’s bag before the confrontation began.
Prosecutors argued Hendrix’s response escalated into repeated racial slurs and abusive language directed at both the child and the bystander recording the incident.
A Rochester police detective also testified regarding interviews conducted during the investigation.
Reactions
Following the verdict, the Rochester City Attorney’s Office acknowledged the outcome and said the incident had been painful for many members of the community.
The office stated that Hendrix admitted to using racist language and said it would continue efforts supporting community reconciliation.
Outside the courthouse, Hendrix’s attorney criticized the prosecution and said the case should not have resulted in a criminal conviction.
Fundraiser
The case also attracted attention because of an online fundraiser launched by Hendrix.
According to publicly available fundraising information, the campaign has raised nearly $900,000.
Hendrix previously stated that some of the funds were used to purchase a home and cover legal expenses.
Some of her online posts and comments from supporters have also drawn criticism for language and symbolism associated with white nationalist ideology.
The case gained national attention because of both the widely shared video and the legal questions surrounding disorderly conduct and protected speech. While the jury convicted Hendrix on one count involving the videographer, it acquitted her on the charge involving the child. Her attorney has indicated that the conviction will be appealed.
