Mum of bullied boy Quaden Bayles reacts to conspiracy theory about nine-year-old’s age

Quaden Bayles’ heartbreaking story captured hearts around the world — but things have taken a sour turn forcing his mum to react.

"This is the effect of bullying, this is what it's doing." Picture: Facebook

The mother of bullied boy Quaden Bayles has been forced to react to a “vile” conspiracy theory, defending claims about her son’s age via rapper Cardi B.

Yarraka Bayles shared a heartbreaking video of her nine-year-old son “in hysterics” this week after he was bullied at school for having dwarfism.

In tears, Quaden can be seen telling his mum, “Give me a knife – I want to kill myself”, adding, “I just want to die right now”.

The emotional video quickly went viral, racking up millions of views since it was shared on Wednesday. Many were deeply moved by the Brisbane boy’s plight, with celebrities rallying around him and a fundraiser in his name currently raising over $US392,000 ($A593,000) in donations.

But the huge attention has seen the heartwarming tale take a bizarre twist — with a theory emerging online that claims Quaden is actually 18-years-old and the whole story is a cash “scam”, The NY Post reports.

RELATED: American comedian raises huge amount for Quaden

RELATED: Quaden shares important message about standing up to bullies

RELATED: World captivated with bullied Australian boy

Quaden Bayles has captured hearts of people around the world after his battle with bullies went viral. Picture: Facebook

His mum Yarraka Bayles shared the heartbreaking video to raise awareness about living with disabilities. Picture: Facebook

Multiple “fake” Instagram and GoFundMe accounts have also been created, according to posts on Ms Bayles Instagram account.

In response, Ms Bayles has shared two posts on Facebook that shut down the reports, one a video from rapper Cardi B who is defending the schoolboy.

“Thanks @iamcardiB, I love you! FACTS,” Ms Bayles wrote, posting on the dwarfism advocacy group Ms Bayles has run since 2014, Stand Tall 4 Dwarfism. She accompanied the post with an Instagram Live video of Cardi B along with the hashtag #CardiBKnowsWassup and a hooray emoji.

In the short clip, the rapper — whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar — addressed the claims he was “lying about his age” with her 59.3m followers.

“I really don’t think that he’s lying on his age. And just because there’s video of him flossing money and acting all gangster and acting all cool, it doesn’t mean that kids do not pick on him,” she said. “Come on now.”

The 27-year-old went on to explain that people “everyday” act up for Instagram, adding she saw the video and she was “so sad”.

Ms Bayles also shared another post earlier today written by a woman who said she has “known Quaden since before this s**t blew up”.

“Ima (sic) say this once and that’s that. I’ve know about Quaden since before this s**t blew up. Yes, he’s 9! Dwarfism is not a joke, is he a model or actor?

“ … so are a lot of kids … That doesn’t mean s**t!”

The post, which was also shared by goes on to explain that no money “in the world” could change the pain that comes from living with a disability and the abuse he has suffered.

Ms Bayles shared this post from someone who has ‘known Quaden since before this s**t blew up’ that stated he was nine-years-old. Picture: Facebook / Stand Tall 4 Dwarfism

“His mother made the post because she was overwhelmed and enraged with the bullying. I understand her to the fullest …

“Never did she ask for money … That being said, another Fellow Little Person did reach out to them, which is a famous comedian. He wanted to turn Quaden's frown upside down and created the GoFund me account to take the Australian boy to Disneyland. Now that was his doing. That came from his heart … Never did they say they were broke. Never did they ask for this.”

The conspiracy theory about his age is trending on Twitter. Picture: AAP Image/Jono Searle

The writer, who lives in Denver Colorado but states in her post she also has a child with a disability, finishes saying: “I’m vouching for the kid. If ignorance blinds yall from the real issue than that’s a damm shame!”

Response to the claims has been huge, with the hashtag #QuadenBayles trending on Twitter in Australia on Saturday, receiving over 71,000 tweets.

Many of them include photos or screenshots taken from Ms Bayles and Quaden’s Instagram accounts, citing them as evidence the rumour is a “lie”.

He's NOT 18, he's 9. He turns 10 in December 2020. #QuadenBayles pic.twitter.com/nWKGfKwIos

— Robin (@5corpio5iv3) February 21, 2020

“Don’t believe everything you read on the internet” says the people who believe #QuadenBayles is 18 because of some Facebook post with no actual proof. Just search a bit deeper and you’ll find the truth. Stop spreading lies. He’s 9. pic.twitter.com/ovQezLvv4t

— 🌷✭ (@Trashnaldo) February 21, 2020

He's 9 .. Please do your research .. My god, you were finessed by bullies which its ironic because now you're bullying him.. 🙌👍😂 #QuadenBayles pic.twitter.com/zoM4Ds044d

— Manda Liz (@manda_jackman69) February 21, 2020

Others called out the rumour as even more bullying, labelling those spreading it “shameful”.

Reporting every cowardly creep on here spreading false information about #QuadenBayles. Honestly, how low can you get? Anonymous adults bullying a child. It's bloody shameful.#Hes9

— Marnie O'Neill (@marnieoneill7) February 21, 2020

I find it truly beyond disgusting that this precious little boy not only has bullying at school, now there are pathetic trolls trying to make up fake claims about his age. Cyberbullying pure and simple. #QuadenBayles #QuadenStrong

— Dani Bush (@Dani_Bush) February 22, 2020

It’s disgusting that his family has to show proof of age. Anyone who watch that video and was more concerned about his age than feel remorse for a suffering soul...has no soul. God bless #QuadenBayles

— MJ Val (@MJVal1) February 21, 2020

For anyone doubting #QuadenBayles's age....time stamped photos. It's truly a sign of how vile the internet can be that a child being bullied becomes part of a crack-pot conspiracy. #istandwithquaden pic.twitter.com/3XPpeIQseS

— Spike (@SpikeSmyth) February 21, 2020

The claims about Quaden’s age surfaced online yesterday, when a post was shared on Facebook describing the schoolboy as an “Instagram celeb”.

It was shared alongside photos of Quaden at an 18th birthday party, posing alongside a light-up 18 sign, claiming the captions had been changed to hide the fact the party was actually his.

While Ms Bayles is yet to comment on the claims herself, she has shared two posts on both hers and Quaden’s Instagram accounts warning followers of “fake” accounts.

A spokesperson for the family told news.com.au they would not be commenting on the conspiracy theory circulating.

The post that sparked the conspiracy theory. Picture: Facebook

The world has shown an overwhelming amount of support to Quaden with the youngster’s story being picked up by media outlets worldwide.

Not only have NRL footy players rallied behind him but huge celebrities including Australian actor Hugh Jackman, UK TV host Piers Morgan and American comedian and actor Brad Williams, who started a GoFundMe page for the bully victim.

The wave of global support caused Quaden and his mum to share a heartwarming message with his new fans.

“If you get bullied, just stand up for yourself and don’t listen to what they say,” he said on Friday, in an interview with National Indigenous Television (NITV).

“The parents should make their kids be nice to people with disabilities.”

Later today the schoolboy will lead out the NRL’s Indigenous All Stars team at Robina Stadium as they prepare to face their annual showdown with the Maori All Stars on the Gold Coast.

Continue the conversation @RebekahScanlan | [e-mail]