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A stranger is trying to make money off of this little boy's viral class photo — and the kid's mom is not happy

After a boy’s angry class photos went viral, his mom says others have been trying to cash in on his fame. (Photo: Getty Images)
After a boy’s angry class photos went viral, his mom says others have been trying to cash in on his fame. (Photo: Getty Images)

A little boy’s class photos are going viral over his adorably angry face — but when he finds that a random man has been claiming to be his dad, he might get even more irate.

On Nov. 17, the man — who goes by the name of Bill Muhammad — shared three photos of the little boy on Facebook. In the images, the tot is all dressed up, with a miserable look on his face. In the caption, Muhammad revealed the reason for the little guy’s long face, and it’s hilarious.

“I ate his pop tart before his class picture and he said he never smiling again,” Muhammad wrote after asking for prayers for “his son.” He hashtagged #poptartforeverfund #cashapp, and included his Cash App account name, $bandobill (Cash App works like Venmo, allowing people to send and receive money electronically). The post went viral, amassing 156k shares and 40k comments over two days.

But what seemed like a hilarious and innocent father-son moment quickly turned into a soap opera, when a woman named Tantarnea Arnold shared Muhammad’s post, revealing that he isn’t really the little guy’s father. Arnold identified the child as her son, and tagged his actual father, Michael Arnold.

According to WLTV in New Orleans, the photos of her son, Makari Arnold, are from 2017, and were taken at his daycare. Makari’s photos went viral last year after his cousin posted them.

Arnold doesn’t deny that the memes inspired by her adorable child’s mean mug are pretty funny, but she’s having a hard time getting used her baby boy being in the spotlight. Especially now that some stranger is claiming to be his father. “It’s disrespectful,” Arnold told WWLTV. “We just really want to get rid of all our social media and we’re on social media to stay in touch with our family and to share special moments…it really feels like a piece of you has been taken.”

She wrote on Facebook that claiming someone else’s child is not funny, even if it’s just meant to be a joke. “Don’t be out here trying to use our son for likes or money. That’s lame and so disrespectful.”

She asked her friends to let her know if they see anyone “claiming him” or the picture.

Makari’s dad also shared Muhammad’s post on Facebook, asking friends to alert him of any GoFundMe accounts regarding his son. Arnold is also worried about people profiting off her son’s photos, since Muhammad seemed to be encouraging people to donate to a Pop-Tart fund by sharing his Cash App details. And it appears the parents should be concerned. “I was about to send that fool $5 to get lil man some pop tarts. Glad I didn’t,” someone commented on Makari’s father’s post.

Neither Makari’s mom nor Muhammad have responded to Yahoo Lifestyle’s requests for comment.

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