Woman charged after viral New York City hotel video

A woman seen in a viral video accusing a Black teenager of stealing her cell phone in a New York CIty hotel has been charged with attempted robbery, assault and acting in a manner injurious to a child. Weeks ago, video surfaced of 22-year-old Miya Ponsetto attacking a 14-year-old Black teenager she accused the teen of stealing her phone. Ponsetto frantically tried to stop the teenager from leaving the hotel and even tackled him in her attempt. Her phone was later returned after being found in an Uber.

Class discussion: The young woman in the video appears to be in an absolute panic over her missing cell phone. Is losing a cell phone worth such an emotional upheaval, a frantic conflict and finally criminal charges? How would you react if you lost your cell phone? How much do you rely on your phone? Why do you think the woman was so quick to accuse the teen and assume that his cell phone really belonged to her? Do you think race was involved? Are young Black men often the target of such undue suspicion?