North Texas (KWTX) – Kayla Hays, the mother of Karmelo Anthony, the teenager charged in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a track meet, told reporters her family has received death threats and has been disrupted by propagation of misinformation on social media.

“In the wake of this tragic incident, our family has been under attack. Whatever you think happened between Carmelo and the Metcalf boy — my three other children, my husband and I — didn’t do anything to deserve to be threatened, harassed and lied about,” Hays said.

“The lies and false accusations that have been said about us have been overwhelming and the lies put our family in danger,” Hays added.

The mother said their address and the address of her husband’s employer has been shared across all social media platforms by actors intent on disrupting their life.

Anthony’s father had to take a leave of absence from work to be with his family amid the death threats.

“His mental health has deteriorated day-by-day. We have endured death threats and my 13-year-old daughter is afraid to sleep in her own bedroom because of fear about what might happen to her.”

The mother told reporters her family has not received a single dime from the crowdfunding account created to raise money for Anthony’s legal defense.

She said malicious rumors spread online about her family spending the funds on a new home, new SUV and other luxuries are false.

“Our son deserves the same rights under the law that everyone else is afforded,” Hays said, “We believe in the legal process and that is when the truth will come out.”

Hays also address the Metcalf Family.

“To the family who experienced the loss, my heart truly goes out to you.”

Metcalf’s father showed up to the news conference but was asked to leave out of respect to the Anthony family.

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