A viral Facebook post showed a bruised toddler and a plea for help, claiming a police officer found him alone at night. People were urged to share it widely—but it was completely false.
Police confirmed no such incident occurred, and no officer named “Deputy Tyler Cooper” exists. The post was a hoax, designed to spread by playing on emotions and urgency. Some hoaxes later swap in scams or ads, exploiting the large audience.
To stay safe online:
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Check local news or police sources.
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Reverse image search suspicious photos.
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Question vague details or unverifiable names.
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Report dubious posts to the platform.
This story is a reminder: empathy can be manipulated online. Pause, verify, and share responsibly—real people in need deserve our attention, not digital tricks.
