NASSAU-Internet personality and comedian Jonathan “Daddi Whites” Russell has been jailed for the “worst video” of his life.
The video of Lionel Hart Sr., 55, holding his two-year-old son as Russell gave him a beer cost them their freedom.
Russell and Hart pleaded guilty to a charge of cruelty to children at their arraignment before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes on June 15.
Video that sent Daddi Whites to prison
Addressing the court on his behalf, Russell said, “I’ve done thousands of videos and this is the worst video I’ve ever did.”
Russell told the court video was intended to advertise a liquor store.
He said that he removed the video immediately after receiving “backlash”, but it had already gone viral.
Russell claimed that the bottle really contained soda.
The child’s father said that Russell asked him to take a photo with his child.
Hart said he didn’t know what was in the beer bottle, although Russell told the child to “drink the whole beer” in his presence.
He conceded he was wrong to permit Russell to make the video and asked the court to show him mercy.
Hart told the court that the child was now with his sister.
The magistrate said he did not see how a child drinking alcohol would improve the liquor store’s image.
Additionally, Forbes chastised Hart for his poor judgment in allowing a stranger to give his child an unknown drink.
Forbes sentenced each convict to three months in prison and advised them of their right to appeal.
They faced a maximum of two years in prison. However, the court considered their lack of previous conviction and early admission of guilt in sentencing.
