Parents Of Rowdy Kids On SEPTA Say Viral Video Isn't What It Seems
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A viral video showing a group of kids cursing and screaming at a fellow SEPTA rider isn't all it seems, according to the parents of two of the children.
It's a video that's shocking--an expletive-filled conflict between a group of young boys and a fellow rider on the Market-Frankford El.
The rider, Patrick Coyle, posted two videos of the March 24th incident on his Facebook page.
"I'm sorry that people had to see that and they think now that our kids are savages and animals," said David Perez, stepfather of two of the boys. "They did get out of hand because kids are going to get together and get out of hand."
Perez and Aurelis Rivera's two sons are depicted in the video with their cousins and aunt.
Rivera said she was horrified by the children's behavior, but that a second video shows Coyle provoking the kids.
"Watch what happens tough guy. Watch what happens, monkey kid," can be heard on the video.
"He told the kids, 'Oh now, you're a tough boy, monkey boy?' If you want the situation to get better talk to the parent. Don't talk to the kids," Rivera said.
Rivera said Coyle also followed the boys after they went to another car and continued to record them, even after they demanded he stop.
"Get that thing out of my face!" one of the kids screams.
In a Facebook post Wednesday, Coyle wrote that his intention was not to get the kids in trouble but "I would like to see them get serious help and be able to see a respectable bunch of kids that learn respect does not cost a thing but disrespect can cost you and everyone around you so much."
Rivera said her kids are remorseful. She feels everyone in the situation could have handled it better.
"[My son] keeps telling me sorry and I told him you know, it's a lesson learned," she said.
SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestel said detectives have reached out to the families of the children and that they are receptive to receiving help.
