Famous Children's Entertainer Donates To GoFundMe From Viral TikTok Video In Darien

DARIEN, CT — Ms. Rachel, a globally known children's educator, entertainer, and activist, has donated $3,000 to a GoFundMe in support of a family involved in a viral TikTok video that was filmed in Darien earlier this month.

A Darien Library employee was placed on administrative leave while an investigation takes place into claims that a white employee ignored a young Black child during a recent community event.

A video uploaded to TikTok by West Haven resident Micah Whitaker on Oct. 6 and filmed during a storytime event at Darien Commons on Oct. 3 appears to show a woman with a puppet engaging with several small children.

A young Black child is seen walking with his mother near the employee, but the employee appears in the video to continue engaging with other nearby children before eventually packing the puppet away.

The video has since garnered over 1 million likes, 6 million views, and over 28,000 comments.

Ms. Rachel, who appears as Rachel Accurso on the list of GoFundMe donors, also commented on the video after it was posted, writing, "I'd be so honored to meet your little boy and he can meet Herbie any time (our puppet). I'll message you!"

In a separate video in the comments, Whitaker acknowledged Accurso and said he's "been in contact" with her.

The GoFundMe was started by Whitaker and has raised over $4,000.

"This fundraiser is not about asking for pity. Micah simply wants to turn this difficult moment into a beautiful memory for his son," the fundraiser's description says.

"The hope is to use the support from this fundraiser to take him and the family to Disney World, where he can experience the joy, magic, and excitement every child deserves. More than anything, Micah wants this little boy to be surrounded by love and reminded that one hurtful experience does not define who he is or what the world can hold for him."

In a statement shared with Patch by Darien Library Executive Director Kierra Parrott last week, she said, in part, the library "takes these allegations seriously, as we do our commitment to be a welcoming, inclusive, and safe space for every patron, especially our youngest patrons and their families and caregivers."

The library has retained an independent law firm to conduct "a full and comprehensive review of all aspects of the situation," Parrott said.