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‘I used humor to cope’: TikToker who joked about abusive relationship says boyfriend actually abused her

Kylie Strickland's boyfriend was arrested after she made the allegations.

 

Michelle Brandabur

IRL

Posted on Apr 16, 2021   Updated on Apr 19, 2021, 10:21 am CDT

In a new series of TikTok videos, Georgia-based creator Kylie Strickland accused her ex-boyfriend of beating her. The ex, Cody Mitchell Weems, was arrested on charges including abuse this week.

The creator, who has 1 million followers, posted many videos with her Weems and previously joked about being in an abusive relationship.

In one video posted on Monday, she shared an old TikTok she made with Weems in which he joked about killing her if she left him.

In a new clip, Strickland has a bruised face, black eye, and what appears to be a hospital bracelet. “Looking back at the accuracy is scary,” Strickland wrote. “My life was in danger and I used humor to cope but it was 110% true.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@kyliestrickland3/video/6950259962438307077?source=h5_m&_r=1&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

The video now has over 7.8 million views, 803,300 likes and 7,907 comments.

In the first video Strickland uploaded highlighting the alleged abuse, she lays in a hospital bed. “It’s been happening for almost the entire 2 months…” she says while zooming in on the black eye and bruises across her face.

“I made excuses … I thought I could change him. This past Wednesday, he choked me. I had to flee into a CVS, and he took off on foot running from the police,” Strickland says, shaking her head.

https://www.tiktok.com/@kyliestrickland3/video/6949935749282286853?source=h5_m&_r=1&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

“This morning at 6am he broke into my house and abused me again. He choked me, stomped me, hit me, covered my nose and mouth and threatened to kill me,” Strickland continues, showing more pictures of the injuries across her face. 

After Strickland posted the first video alleging abuse, Weems was arrested by local police on charges of battery, burglary, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and assault on an unborn child. The Daily Dot reviewed an arrest record pertaining to Weems made in Upson Country, Georgia.

The Daily Dot also reached out to Upson County Jail.

“You will NEVER do this to another woman if I have anything to do with it,” Strickland wrote on TikTok. 

“The happiness I feel right now is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Strickland captioned a video showing a report of the charges made against Weems.

https://www.tiktok.com/@kyliestrickland3/video/6950675342109592838?source=h5_m&_r=1&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1

Users on TikTok were supportive in the comment sections of Strickland’s recent videos.

“I know I don’t know you & you don’t know me but from another survivor – I’m in your corner,” one user commented. “Please don’t hesitate to reach out.”

“If you ever need a witness to his character I’m here,” another user wrote. “We dated a few years ago and he acted like a complete psycho and wouldn’t leave my apartment.”


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*First Published: Apr 16, 2021, 5:03 pm CDT