Texas mom defends photo of daughter riding on back of motorcycle

WMC Action News 5

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A Texas mother is defending herself after a photo of her 7-year-old daughter sparked outrage on social media.

Mallory Torres, the mother of the 7-year-old, had her boyfriend, John Hays II, pick her daughter up from school on his motorcycle. A driver snapped a photo of them on the bike and was later posted on a Corpus Christi bike Facebook page.

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While many of the comments on the post were negative with people criticizing that the girl was in danger. others supported Torres and Hays.

Torres addressed the negative comments on social media by writing:

 "Some of you may have seen this picture on Facebook, and some of you may have even seen this in person...This is my 7 year old daughter riding home from school on a motorcycle. Yes. She's 7, and she's on a motorcycle. 'Why?' Some of you may ask... Because I love my daughter. That's right... I LOVE MY DAUGHTER and she loves to ride, so I allow her to ride on the back of a motorcycle in full gear with my boyfriend who has 20+ years of experience."

Memphis NBC affiliate assistant news director Chris Best, who happens to be a motorcycle enthusiast, did a Skype interview with Torres and Hays to ask them about the viral photo.

"I absolutely did nothing reckless," Hays said.

"People that have a problem with it, I kinda wanted them to understand a little bit that not everybody parents the same way. You put your kids in sports, that's fine. My kids have the options to be in sports, but one of them chooses to be on a motorcycle." Torres said.

Best researched the law in Texas. According to the Texas DMV website, "A passenger must be at least 5 years old. If the passenger is under 21 years old they must wear a helmet. If the passenger is 21 years old or older, they may be exempt from wearing a helmet if they meet the exemption requirements."

Hays said they are planning on scheduling a kids day where people get together and have kids ride on motorcycles.

Read more about this story on the WMC Action News 5 .

Interview with Texas couple shamed for child on motorcycle comment with your questions

Posted by Biker Dad on Sunday, April 24, 2016

 

 


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