South Jordan mom issues warning after Facebook casting call turns inappropriate


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SOUTH JORDAN — It started as a casting call for a local film, but quickly ended with mothers sharing their concern on Facebook.

On Monday, a man on a Utah film Facebook page asked female actors to contact him if they were interested in playing a diva pop star.

Rachel Payne said her daughter responded to the post and within 48 hours went to the police because of the man’s inappropriate responses.

"She was like, ‘Whoa, this guy was going somewhere I don't want to go,’” Payne said. “To think he used my daughter as prey, really makes me angry.”

Her 16-year-old daughter, who does not want to be identified, said the conversation started out innocent but she knew something was wrong when he asked her about her fetishes. The man explained that the role required her to share with him her fetishes.

“At first I thought it was a little weird, but I went along with it to find out more,” the juvenile said.

The conversation got even creepier, so she went to her mom who then took it to Facebook, hoping to warn potential victims. Payne was surprised by the response.

“So many girls and women came out after that saying, ‘Oh my gosh, he did the same thing to me,’ ‘Oh my gosh, he did the same thing to my daughter,’” Payne said.

Payne then filed a report with South Jordan police, who said it was the right thing to do.

“Anytime [parents] believe something inappropriate happened whether in person or online, we definitely want to hear about it,” said South Jordan Police Sgt. Sam Winkler.

Police are looking into the case to find out if any laws were broken. Winkler said it depends on the intent behind the messages.

For Payne, the intent is clear and hopes her daughter will be even more careful with conversations in the future.

“There are things she can learn and things that she'll be wise about because of this situation,” she said. “Just having her eyes open to what vulnerabilities they try to take advantage of."

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