Депутат Южной Каролины посетил школу погибшего сына, чтобы предупредить подростков о секс-вымогательстве

S.C. lawmaker returns to late son’s school to warn of sextortion ROCK HILL, S.C. - For one Rock Hill father, coming back to his son’s high school brought up some painful memories. After his son’s death, Rep. Brandon Guffey says it’s important to keep sharing his story so he can help protect students online from dangers they may not even be aware of. Walking back into Rock Hill High School was emotional for Rep. Guffey. It’s the first time he’s been there since his son, Gavin Guffey, took his own life after he was extorted online. He stood in the same halls Gavin Guffey once walked, hoping other teens can recognize when they need to ask for help. “It didn’t really hit me until walking onto the grounds,” said Brandon Guffey. Gavin Guffey graduated from Rock Hill High School. His father said coming back is part of a promise he’s made since losing his son in 2022 after Gavin was sexually extorted online. “To know that Gavin once sat in these bleachers, you know I feel like I’m trying to reach him,” Brandon Guffey said. Gavin Guffey’s teachers remember the energy he brought into a room. “Just full of that youthful exuberance, that joy that just comes across whenever he walks in a room,” said Rock Hill High Orchestra and Guitar Director Jeremy Shaw. Now, Gavin’s Law requires South Carolina schools to educate students on sextortion and how it can be prevented. Brandon Guffey and the Less Than Three foundation are using Gavin Guffey’s story to teach students what online exploitation can look like. He said it starts with someone building trust, getting into your daily life, asking for small things, before making threats and convincing you there’s no way out. Hearing how common it can be made some students look at their classmates differently. “When he really said 1 in 4 people could be going through that … So, I kinda like looked around and was like, ‘wow all these people around me, somebody could be going through something like that, said senior Olin Pitters. Some students say they’ve experienced extortion’s impacts firsthand and know how important these conversations can be. “From the younger they are to the older they are, we just need to teach them (kids) as much as possible that it’s okay to reach out to people,” said Senior Class President Drayton McManus said. For teens, so much of their social life happens online — on a cell phone, on a laptop. That’s why these leaders say it’s so important for parents to understand what’s happening on their devices. Brandon Guffey said students need to know they’re not alone. “If they are aware that it’s happening to others and how many and how often it’s happening, it gives them the courage to speak up,” Brandon Guffey said. “Check up on your friends, check up on the people around you,” said Pitters. “This is going to open up a lot of kids eyes and show them like it’s okay to talk about things,” McManus said. Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.