MySpace bans family's pictures of young burn victim Save Email Print
Sullivan, IN
Posted: 4:00 PM Aug 27, 2008
 Last Updated: 6:56 PM Aug 27, 2008
66 comments
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An Indiana couple is speaking out after pictures of their young son are banned from MySpace.

This is BJ. He was severely burned in a fire when he was just 18 months old. After seven years of fighting infections, BJ passed away.

And pictures are all his parents have left. Each one tells a story and marks a special occasion in his short life.

But they're not special to everyone.

The couple recently posted the pictures on their private MySpace profile.

Someone complained and the pictures were deleted.

"Regardless of what he looks like, he is still a child, he's not a monster,” said Billy McComb, BJ’s father. “It makes me very angry and it's probably a good thing that MySpace is in California instead of Indiana because I'd be in their office having a few choice words with them."

Billy went on to say, "they flagged him as inappropriate or offensive, just because he was different and I don't find someone who's different as offensive or inappropriate."

"Personally I would like for them to apologize to us first of all, but not just to me but to BJ and say you're not offensive and we're sorry that we ever thought that."

MySpace isn't apologizing.

They say BJ’s pictures are an inappropriate violation, and if the McCombs post them again their profile will be deleted.
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Posted by: A Mom with a Heart Location: Iowa on Sep 16, 2008 at 09:52 PM
How is wanting to remember their son exploiting him? How very sad that we can't help a family remember their beautiful young son in a loving and peaceful way instead of trashing them for wanting to share his pictures. Any family who loses a child wants to share the beautiful pictures and memories of the child; why should this family not be allowed to do so? My heart breaks for them.
Posted by: Kacie Location: Texas on Sep 8, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Okay, the way I see it is if you dont want to look at them then dont. You have a choice whether you want to view pictures or not. Pictures of a CHILD are not offensive in any way. I'm appalled that MYSPACE would allow sexual pictures will all types of poses but not ones of a child. THAT'S WHAT I FIND OFFENSIVE.
Posted by: Kiara Location: Texas on Sep 7, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Put your photo's on PRIVATE or for friends only. You're child shouldn't have to be exposed that way. BJ may have suffered a horrible and traumatic life before he passed away and yes it may be sad, but he shouldn't be exploited. I have 4 children and all my photo's are for friends only. I hate seeing parents allowing their children to be exploited! Grow up and stop complaining. The story is sad, but the actions taken are appropriate!
Posted by: Michelle Location: SLC, UT on Sep 6, 2008 at 08:28 PM
My son was severly burned on his back and arm this year and the same thing had happened to me. I had posted a couple of pictures on my page for friends and family to view and within hours my whole page/account was deleted!!! It frusterates me that I see constant things (nudity/violence) on the site yet a couple of pictures of my sons burns and I get deleted!!!! Some one needs to get there priorities straight!! I feel a small part of your pain and frusteration. I am so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Duane Location: Phoenix on Sep 2, 2008 at 05:51 PM
I wonder how many people have deleted there accounts after this stupid act from myspace.
Posted by: Denesha Location: INDIANAPOLIS on Sep 2, 2008 at 09:46 AM
I THINK MYSPACE AND THE PEOPLE/PERSONS INVOLVED IN THIS ARE WRONG AND DISSRESPECTFUL. IF YOU FEEL THAT THE PICS ARE SOMETHING YOU DONT WANNA SEE THEN DONT LOOK AT THEM. MAYBE THIS WAS A WAY THE BUCHANAN FAMILY WERE EXPRESSING THEIR EMOTIONS FOR LOSING THEIR YOUNG SON. MYSPACE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE PICS OF THE WOMEN AND MEN EXPOSING THEMSELVES AND THE PICS WITH GUNS AND DRUGS AND DELETE THEIR PICS NOT ONES OF A POOR LIL BOY WHO LOST HIS LIFE TO A TRAGEDY. ME PERSONALLY I DONT THINK THE PICS WERE DISTURBING THERE ARE LOTS OF PICS UP OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE PASSED AWAY ON MYSPACE SO DOES THAT MEAN WHEN MYSPACE FINDS THAT OUT AND SOME "DISTURBED MYSPACER" FINDS THEIR PIC "DISTURBING" WILL THEIR PICS BE DELETED? I DONT GET THIS. TO BJ'S PARENTS AND FAMILY MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU IM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 2, 2008 at 07:50 AM
the thing is... people have a choice to view the pictures and the profiles.... so if a few inconsiderate people want to complain about a child's picture, maybe they should keep their eyes on their own profiles.... it is absolutley disgusting to me that pictures of a child that are meant as a tribute to the young life that can no longer be with his family, are being banned because they are offensive... people need to get of their high-horses and get over it.
Posted by: MM on Sep 2, 2008 at 03:36 AM
Andy. that's your opinion on burn victims. walk a mile in their shoes.
Posted by: Andy Location: South Bend on Sep 1, 2008 at 09:36 PM
I agree with myspace- regardless of WHY, if an image could disturb people that go there (Burn victims look disturbing. It's not their fault, but it's not something I'd want to see) I see why myspace would take it down.
Posted by: anon Location: here on Aug 31, 2008 at 05:47 PM
myspace put the pictures back up, but i think they should take a look at the other pictures on the moms profile
Posted by: MM on Aug 30, 2008 at 08:55 AM
isn't my space where the buchanan kids were threatening to blow up the school and where teens get propositioned for sex? that's ok(my space didn't catch them) but they catch a burn victim? how appalling my space is.
Posted by: Carrie on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:05 PM
I am very sad to hear of your situation. I do not have a myspace, but I have heard of some pretty crazy things being shown. After hearing your story I will NEVER have a myspace and feel there has to be something that should be done and agree that there should be an apology. I would be heartbroken if someone was to do this to me. I wouldn't even want pics of my child back on there, because they wouldn't be deserving.I am sure that he was a beautiful child. I am sorry to hear of his passing.Though I am glad to here that his years on this earth were loving.I hope for the best in the outcome and that this will only make your family stronger and better at fighting to change such discrimination. To the people with ignorant comments, on stories like these, the comment board is really for supporting the family! Not your right to blab ignorant words for the sake of freedom to speech.
Posted by: Dru Location: Terre Haute on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Billy, I run a site named The Faith Haven http://www.TheFaithHaven.com. This is a christian site and we are still growing and developing. We would be happy to welcome you and your memories.
Posted by: Lana Location: Alabama on Aug 29, 2008 at 03:49 AM
To Bob, Wake up! How would you respond, if I told you that you could not enter my park, because I find your skin color offensive? You would scream discrimination. I would not be allowed to deny your entrance, just because my terms and conditions state no one shall be allowed to enter the park if I find them offensive. The ACLU would be all over me, and Jessie Jackson would show up and do everything he could to shut me down. Wake up, discrimination is discrimination!
Posted by: Donna Location: Lagrange on Aug 28, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Although I don't agree with Myspace for removing the photos of this precious little boy. I do pose a question to the angry father....Which person on your "friends" list turned you in. In order for a private account to be viewed you have to add the viewer as a friend. I suggest everyone know who you are adding before you add. Again I don't agree the pics be removed but someone you added and said could look at your photos is the one who turned you in....so????
Posted by: Alivia Location: Indiana on Aug 28, 2008 at 09:35 PM
I knew BJ and he was a great kid he taught me to look beyond what you see and look deep within, and to this day i still think about him and cry. I cant believe myspace would do such a horrible thing.
Posted by: Ashley Location: Goshen on Aug 28, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Myspace doesn't go looking at all the new pictures people post. Do you know how ridiculously long that would take? The family's page and photos were private, right? So, that means one of their "friends" flagged the photo as inappropriate. A "friend" would know that the family was just remembering their son and posting family pictures. I know I wouldn't want that person to be my friend anymore. The family could start a website in memory of their son. God Bless the McCombs!
Posted by: G Location: SB on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:41 PM
My heart goes to the family, but this is a modern problem. Who cares about MySpace? 10 years ago, maybe more, they wouldnt be posting pictures on there anyway. Plus, if you read the fine print in the disclaimer, these sites have every right to use your profile info, Facebook too. Anything you post on there is subject to the owners of the site.
Posted by: a friend of the family Location: lakeville on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:29 PM
To Cyndi (at 9:02 a.m.)- It has gone national. It made MSNBC yesterday.
Posted by: Anoymous Location: Niles on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:21 PM
That is very sad to see myspace flag them, first of all it's their child. This was not fair. Shiner hospital the burn center. You see kids like this all the time. Shame on my space.
Posted by: Me Location: Michigan on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:35 PM
I have pictures of my daughter that was born 10 weeks prematurely, she only has a diaper on and is a tiny 3 lbs 3 ozs, you can see through her skin, her legs were no bigger around then my thumb, her eyes were birdlike and many other features had not fully developed yet.. she is hooked up to all sorts of tubes and wires.. but it is none the less my beautiful strong and fighting daughter. If they told me I had to remove them I would be furious! Especially with all of the inappropriate nudity that is on that site! Sad
Posted by: bd Location: mish on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:29 PM
They allowed my picture of my mutilated finger after an accident I had. Another friend has a pic of a fresh wound above her eye. To discriminate is horrible. My heart goes out to this family. Shame on Myspace.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Let me get this straight, MySpace deletes these photos because they were offensive, yet they have no ISSUE with people posting pictures of themselves and their friends acting like total fools?
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 01:44 PM
myspace is probably removing allot of things due to law suits etc. its unfortunate and it probably shouldn't have happened but in their disclaimer they do reserve the right to remove anything they find inappropriate.
Posted by: deb bartels Location: syracuse, indiana on Aug 28, 2008 at 12:51 PM
myspace is heartless. BJ may have been disfigured from a fire but he was a little boy who passed away from his injuries. all his family wants to do is honor his memory. why cant myspace allow them to do this?
Posted by: Anon on Aug 28, 2008 at 12:49 PM
While I am sorry for your loss, I fail to see how this is news. Did this family go public with this story to drum up support from the community in an effort to sue Myspace? Myspace is a private entity and I would not consider this discrimination as one of your friends complained about the content in your profile. Myspace seems a bit of a juevinile forum to remember your child. Why don't you just start your own forum and forget about this? You seem a bit too old to be on Myspace anyway.
Posted by: Craig Location: Bremen on Aug 28, 2008 at 12:33 PM
If Myspace thought the pictures were offensive, then how would they feel if they were this boys parents, who had to love him unconditionally and nurse and care for him the entire time he went through his horrible ordeal? Did myspace think his parents liked seeing him insuch a way? This child's memory should live on, regardless of how "offensive" myspace or anyone else feels about his appearance. He is with God now and not of the flesh. I'm sure he is one of the most beautiful people in Heaven.
Posted by: Carol Location: Washington State on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:47 AM
I feel a sadness deep in my Heart for this Wonderful and Loving Family.. Shame on you.. myspace for deleting these Pictures.. !!!!!And Shame on the one or ones who Complained.. This was none of your Business.. you made it your Business and in the process you Hurt and Disrespected this Beautiful Child and his Family..To the McComb Family.. May God Bless your Beautiful Family.. and I Pray for your Happiness and Pray you will find some Peace in your Lives..
Posted by: Mel on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:44 AM
To Bob on Aug.27 -- Don't be such a cold-hearted, small minded jerk! ALL children are beautiful. MySpace doesn't have the right to decide who is beautiful and who isn't. People without love and compassion are the "inappropriate" ones. The McCombs are in my prayers. Maybe they could start a special website for BJ and other children that have been burned to show the world how beautiful they really are beneath the skin. (hugs)
Posted by: Rene Location: Niles, MI on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:07 AM
First I want to say I am a proud parent of a beautiful daughter who was burned at the age of 2. I would dare someone to tell me I can't post her pics. I think a law suite should be filed. I also think that anyone who agrees that the pics shouldn't be deleted and have a myspace account should boycott it and cancel the acct. And the parents of that beautiful baby should boo hoo and whine and cry they have earned that right as a parent who has lost a child. I have also been down that road too. I would like to apologize to the family for other peoples ignorance and stupidity and heartless remarks. You are in my families prays, we hope that someday you will heal and the rest of your children and family lives a long, happy, healthy, prosperious life together. Trust that if God brings you to it, he will see you through it. Don't lose faith. Love and prayers.
Posted by: anon on Aug 28, 2008 at 10:32 AM
there are profiles EVERYWHERE from 13 year old girls who have posted half-nudes of themselves....this is crazy!! posting photos of your child who was physically burned is NO DIFFERENT than posting photos of your child who is in wheelchair or has had a limb amputated! geesh, i wonder if a burn victim would work with the ADA...bc that is discimination!
Posted by: Petition Location: South Bend, IN on Aug 28, 2008 at 09:42 AM
What a sad story. As long as the page is private - whats the big deal? Half dressed minors is OK??
Posted by: bj Location: mishawaka on Aug 28, 2008 at 09:35 AM
I can not believe that this happened. I am sorry for your loss. I am a mother of special needs kids with a genetic syndrome thye have a distinguished look that yes people stare and smirk and make fun.. society is cruel to those who are not normal (what is normal) keep fighting for your presious angel. god bless
Posted by: Heather Location: Texas on Aug 28, 2008 at 09:31 AM
My heart goes out to the family. As a mother of a child with disabilities I can somewhat relate to their plight. We've experienced people staring, pointing, blatantly moving away from us when we get near when we are in public, etc. Unfortunately, Myspace is owned by a private entity. Since it's not a government run site there is no real freedom of speech on it. Myspace is free to delete any pic, blog or forum post, or profile it deems fit. So while it's distasteful to say the very least, they are still within their rights. I suggest going to Facebook or another site that has better privacy tools and more mature people who are less apt to complain and set up shop there. What is the most sad about this is that it had to be one of their "friends" who complained. Forget about Myspace. What about the supposed friend? I'd find out who it was and delete them ASAP.
Posted by: Tracy Location: Ohio on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:27 AM
How sad. If the myspace is private, that means that one of their friends reported the images. Shame on myspace for discriminating against this little boy. I have seen some pretty racy layouts and pics on myspace that are allowed... this just makes no sense.
Posted by: Cyndi Location: South Bend on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:02 AM
This is wrong! Has anyone thought of going national with this story? Maybe something would be done then. My prayers are with you. God Bless!
Posted by: Jenny Location: South Bend on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Wow.. this is sad. To BJ's family, I'd love to hear his story, I'd love to see his pictures. I bet he was a beautiful boy and I'm sorry for your loss and hurt. Shame on My Space. and shame to the people that complained. They should be grateful it wasn't their son. Some people are just plain ignorant.
Posted by: Kel on Aug 28, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Ok so MySpace deleted the childs pictures? If their profile was private then only their "friends" could've seen it and reported it. I have seen far worse on there, half naked or naked pics,underage drinking and drug abuse...but Myspace finds this offensive?
Posted by: J Location: Mishawaka on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:33 AM
I think this is awfull. People can be so mean. Just because this beautiful little boy has been burned is no reason for them to say he is offensive or inappropriate. There are lots of people in the world that have had accidents were they have been burned and I think it is inappropriate for myspace to judge someone based off of the way they look. I am outraged by this. I was thinking about starting a myspace page but now I am not! My prayers are with you and your family. Always remember that he is your beautiful little boy and don't let what other people think about him get you down.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 01:39 AM
wow i'm glad to see that bob is really sensitive to this. anyway, myspace is terrible. period. this kind of stuff happens in real life. sorry that not everyone meets "their standards." r.i.p. to him though.
Posted by: Billy Location: Sullivan, Indiana on Aug 28, 2008 at 12:36 AM
For those of you that have myspace profiles, you can join our support group at http://groups.myspace.com/supportbjmccombs Thank you all for your support!
Posted by: Billy Location: Sullivan, Indiana on Aug 28, 2008 at 12:30 AM
To Bob, I am BJ's father, and we are not whining, we did follow the rules. We reviewed the terms of service, as well as the photo policy, none of them were violated. Maybe you should read them before you open your mouth, and I hope this never happens to your family. Discrimination is an awful thing, and that is what this is.
Posted by: a friend of the family Location: lakeville on Aug 27, 2008 at 11:04 PM
I know BJ's parents and I'm familiar with this situation. To Mark: They had a private profile, and were sharing pictures of ALL of their children, BJ included. This was meant for friends and family to see. They were sharing their pictures as you would a photo album. If you had lost a child, would you exclude his pictures when showing off your children to other people? They chose not to, and they were punished for it. Someone was offended by pictures of a burn victim. That person could've chosen not to look. They didn't have to turn this family in to Myspace. As you can see in the video, BJ was a functioning member of the family, just like the rest of the kids and there was no reason he should've been excluded. Shame on Myspace. They allow half-naked teenagers and pictures of blood and guts, but not of children who look a little different? And for those who have left comments of support, know that the McCombs family is reading this and appreciates your support.
Posted by: Dee Location: Ohio on Aug 27, 2008 at 10:13 PM
This is awfully sad. You son was absolutely beautiful and I think myspace is totally wrong t have deleted those pictures. It's awfully sad they won't delete naked women and such, but they delete some beautiful little boy's picture...PATHETIC. Praying for your family.
Posted by: Boo Location: Missouri on Aug 27, 2008 at 09:17 PM
I think this is outrageous.. All the parents have left is their pictures. Shame on the people who want to take that away from them.
Posted by: Kim Location: Easley,SC on Aug 27, 2008 at 09:13 PM
MySpace needs to get their priorities s