#KeatonJonesIsAwesome on social media but principal downplays bullying case

(Story Updated to include statement from school system)

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – The story of Keaton Jones continues to develop on Monday.

He became the subject of a national furor when his mom posted an emotional, anti-bullying video on Facebook Friday.

Keaton said he didn’t want to go to lunch at school because classmates poured milk over his head, stuffed ham in his clothes and threw bread at him.

The video struck a chord nationally, with tens of thousands of views. Here are just a few examples.

@Lakyn_Jones Hello, Keaton (via your sister)! You may have heard of my parents, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (#MLK) and #CorettaScottKing. I try to honor them and their legacies. I’m so sorry about the pain you’re experiencing because of bullying. You matter. I love you.

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) December 9, 2017

@DonteStallworth @Lakyn_Jones hopefully my video and the tweets that Keaton have been getting brings awareness to bullying and how serious it is in our school system pic.twitter.com/1Dujv3RxA5

— Delanie walker (@delaniewalker82) December 9, 2017

Hey #KeatonJones Just saw your video about the tough time you're going through. Not sure if you're a Walking Dead fan but if it happens that you are then please be in touch as I would love to see you and your family @WalkrStalkrCon show in Nashville next year. On me. X

— Tom Payne (@justanactor) December 10, 2017

But on Monday, the Principal at Keaton’s school (Horace Maynard Middle) in Union County called the video misleading.

Greg Clay said the bullying is not as rampant as the video makes it seem.

Clay says the students from the incident that Keaton describes were dealt with weeks ago.

He did not explain why Keaton still felt afraid on Friday.

And he should brace for a backlash, as people are posting his phone number and address on Twitter.

#StandWithKeaton ???
Not his principal!@KnoxNews quotes Greg Jones saying:
"it's not as rampant as the video would have you believe"

No child should ever be faced with an authority this dismissive of reality.
Union County Schools @UnionCounty4 need to chat with this cold heart

— Jim Bowman™ (@W4DFS) December 11, 2017

The Union County Schools issued this statement on the case Monday afternoon.

“To fulfill our mission of educating all children in Union County Public Schools, we must provide an academic environment that is safe, civil and supportive. We do not tolerate bullying and have a policy in place that addresses conduct taking place on school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided transportation or at any official school bus stop. With any incident of bullying that is reported to our administrators, we follow the process of our policy and immediately investigate the alleged incidents. The privacy of all parties and witnesses to complaints will be respected in accordance with federal and state law.”

Keaton’s mother has now made her Facebook page private after the weekend’s events.

Still, he has been offered prom dates, a role as an anti-bullying spokesman, and lots of tickets (The Walking Dead, Avengers premiere, Titans & Vols games to name a few), just over the weekend.