Mother who sued school after her then two-year-old daughter was seen screaming in terror at Easter Bunny in viral video that left teachers in tears of laughter settles lawsuit

• A mother whose toddler went viral for being terrified of the Easter Bunny has sued her daughter’s daycare 
• Cassandra Bryson settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount 
• She claimed negligence, invasion of privacy and infliction of emotional distress

A Florida mother who sued her daughter’s daycare for sharing a video of the toddler screaming in terror at the Easter bunny which then went viral has settled her lawsuit. 

Cassandra Bryson sued Around the World Learning Center in Kissimmee, Florida, in 2018 after an employee shared a video of her daughter’s terrified reaction to an adult in an Easter bunny costume 

The video had 17 million views and was even used by talk show host Jimmy Kimmel in his late night show monologue. 

Bryson claimed negligence, invasion of privacy and infliction of emotional distress in the lawsuit.

Documents filed in court show that five years after the viral incident Bryson and the school reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount. 

Surai Bryson was just two and a half when the video of her went viral and reached 17 million views

Cassandra Bryson is the mother of the toddler who went viral for screaming in terror during a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny at daycare

At the time she said: ‘This is not funny. My child is hurt.’

Surai Bryson was two and a half when the Easter Bunny paid a surprise visit to her classroom.

The video went viral after an employee posted the video on Snapchat with the caption ‘I am crying’.

Along with charges being brought against the school for invading Surai’s privacy and neglecting her – the lawsuit also alleged infliction of emotional distress saying: ‘There was no parent consultation prior to bringing this adult-sized Easter Bunny into the classroom.’

Bryson had signed a form denying permission for the school to share pictures of her daughter in most scenarios. This included Facebook, YouTube and the school’s website.

In a 2021 court hearing the school’s lawyers denied the claims and said that under Florida’s ‘Impact Rule’ the Around the World Learning Center could not be sued because there was no physical impact to the little girl. 

An employee at the daycare uploaded the video of little Surai Byrson’s reaction to the adult in the Easter Bunny costume 

Documents filed in court show that five years after the viral incident Bryson and the school reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount.

Surai’s mother said she had filled out a form expressly forbidding the day care from videotaping the little girl

Cassandra Bryson sued Around the World Learning Center in Kissimmee, Florida, in 2018

Kyle Wilhelm was the attorney representing the center in the lawsuit.

He said: ‘Neither the Easter Bunny or the employee physically impacted the child… There is absolutely no physical impact at the time of the negligence.’

The Bryson family’s attorney Scott Leeds agreed that the Impact Rule that Wilhelm was using for his argument does apply but that it was met by situation.

Leeds said: ‘I submit your honor that the startling reaction, her jump from her chair and her knocking into the other chair does satisfy the impact rule in this case your honor… No matter how large or small, any force, visible or invisible, and this is visible, would be satisfactory.’

Wilhelm argued back – saying that ‘There is no indication that the Easter Bunny caused the classroom to shake, there is no indication that this employee caused the classroom to shake.’ 

Surai’s mother said the video triggered racially charged comments online.

Leeds said: ‘This video continues to be viewed across global social media platforms where some people continue to make derogatory and racist comments.’ 

Scott Leeds is the attorney for the Bryson family

Kyle Wilhelm was the attorney representing the daycare center in the lawsuit. 

The attorney intends to find out which employee recorded the video.  

The mother confronted the owner of the daycare. ‘She stated she was sorry. I told her I signed a paper that I didn’t want my child photographed or videos taken of them. She was aware of that. She had it on file,’ Bryson said.

Bryson said: ‘This should never happen again. I know it won’t, but if there’s something that could be done in regards to cellphone policies at schools and focusing on education for children, which is the main goal for sending children to day care – getting a head start – it’s definitely what I’m looking to be the outcome of this.’

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