Family of Black teen accused of stealing cellphone files racial profiling suit against NYC hotel, woman

Keyon Harrold Jr. was just 14 at the time of the incident. Harrold was heading to breakfast with his family when he says he was accosted by a woman who claimed he stole her cellphone.

News 12 Staff

Mar 24, 2021, 9:28 PM

Updated 1,358 days ago

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The family of the Black teen who was accused of stealing a cellphone from a woman in the Arlo Hotel announced Wednesday that they have has filed a racial profiling lawsuit.
Keyon Harrold Jr. was just 14 at the time of the incident. Harrold was heading to breakfast with his family when he says he was accosted by a woman who claimed he stole her cellphone.
The woman was later identified as Miya Ponsetto. The whole incident was caught on video.
The video shows the incident continuing for more than five minutes with the woman even scratching Harrold's father, who is a renowned jazz musician.
Ponsetto's cellphone was later found in an Uber.
Arlo Hotels responded to a comment on its Instagram page stating in part: "This incident was not representative of our beliefs, culture, or service we aim to provide our guests. We will continue to work internally and with our partners to make an impact on racial equality as this is an important issue that affects us all."
Ponsetto is also being named in the lawsuit.
The family says it's hurt that hotel management didn't come to its aid and even sided with Ponsetto.