Montana sheriff warns parents about bullying challenge after Lockwood child is targeted

LOCKWOOD – A 12-year-old Lockwood child is the latest target of an online bullying challenge called the “Momo Challenge.”

“It’s a form of online intimidation and bullying,” the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday morning.

The agency shared a photo of Momo, a female with bulging eyes, black stringy hair, and a stretched smile.

The challenge is accessed through WhatsApp, a free smartphone messaging app.

“In order to meet Momo you will be given a series of tasks to complete. These tasks must be verified through pictures and/or videos taken. The tasks progressively become more violent and dangerous. The final task has been reported as being suicide or extreme violence,” the sheriff’s office post said.

The sheriff’s office took the report about the Momo Challenge from a Lockwood parent around 11 p.m. Monday.

“If you don’t complete the tasks, this is where the threats come in,” according to the sheriff’s post. “Momo will threaten to kill you and/or harm your friends or family. These phone calls come late in the night.”

The sheriff’s office noted even though it sounds naive to fall for the challenge, it’s something youth can easily believe or get caught up in.

“Here is where your vigilance comes in. For your kids, do random audits on their phones. See what they are doing. Be a snoop on their phone. Let them know you will be doing these random audits,” the sheriff’s office post said.

Several online news reports state the Momo Challenge resulted in the deaths of several minors around the world over the past year.

-Reported by Victoria Hill/MTN News