Creepy 'Cat in the Hat' trend targets schools as costumed figure allegedly chases teen girl
Teen Escapes Cat‑in‑the‑Hat Chase in British Columbia; U.S. Police Warn of Online Threat Trend
A teenage girl in West Kelowna, British Columbia, narrowly avoided a potentially dangerous encounter late on Aug. 24 when a person in a costume resembling the Dr. Seuss character “Cat in the Hat” chased her through the streets at about 9 p.m. The incident was reported to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), who say the girl reached her home safely but are still working to identify the suspect.
The RCMP released a brief statement saying the chase was “extremely concerning” and that “following a young person and causing them to fear for their safety is a serious matter.” Corporal Devon Gerrits added that even if the behavior was intended as a joke, it can have grave consequences when it instills reasonable fear.
The RCMP is appealing to residents of the 2000 block of Shamrock Drive, where the incident occurred, to come forward with any footage. “Anyone who believes they are being followed or pursued should move toward a populated location, contact a trusted adult and call 911 if they are in immediate danger,” the agency advised. Witnesses who captured the event on a doorbell, security or dash‑cam are asked to contact the West Kelowna RCMP.
The incident is currently being treated as a case of criminal harassment – a charge that may carry additional penalties if the suspect is found to have caused a victim reasonable fear. RCMP investigators also say the suspect may face assault, threats or intimidation charges, depending on the evidence.
The chase has raised questions about a separate, nationwide online trend that has spread across the United States. The trend – which has been dubbed “Cat in the Hat” on social media – features AI‑generated or edited images and videos of a sinister version of the beloved children’s character lurking outside homes, near schools and in communities. Some accounts have added the names of students, staff and schools, accompanied by ominous messages or threats.
State police departments across the country have responded to the trend with heightened patrols and investigations. In California, the Baldwin Park Police Department is reviewing posts that reference local schools and named students, stressing that any threat toward schools, staff or the community “will not be dismissed as a joke or prank.” The department urged residents to preserve screenshots and report the content to investigators instead of reposting it.
In Florida, the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office is investigating posts involving county schools and has increased campus patrols, even though no credible threat has yet been identified. Texas law enforcement agencies have issued similar warnings, noting that creating or spreading threatening posts can lead to criminal charges beyond school discipline. The Frio County Sheriff’s Office specifically cautioned against copying or forwarding such material, explaining that it could trigger charges for cyberbullying, harassment or terroristic threats.
The trend has also led to juvenile arrests. Four girls between ages 13 and 15 were apprehended in Berwick, Louisiana after police linked them to TikTok accounts that alarmed families and schools; three were charged with terrorizing or menacing, and one with cyberbullying. A 12‑year‑old Florida student was charged with a written threat to kill tied to the trend, while a 14‑year‑old Colorado student was arrested after a post mentioned a middle school and several homes. Authorities in Alabama, Ohio and Kentucky have announced pending charges or arrests of juveniles connected to similar posts.
Police across the affected communities are consistently asking parents, students and school officials not to share the content, even when attempting to warn others. Instead, they advise capturing screenshots that include the account name, the threatening material, and the date and time of the post, and then submitting that evidence directly to school or law enforcement.
The trend’s spread has prompted a broader discussion about the responsibilities of social‑media platforms. The state of New Mexico, for example, has sought a massive penalty against Meta after a jury found the company liable for endangering children. Meanwhile, the UK government announced a plan to ban TikTok, YouTube and other apps for children under 16.
As of now, the RCMP has not confirmed whether the real‑world chase in West Kelowna is linked to the online trend. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect remains at large. Residents who have any information or relevant footage are encouraged to reach out to the RCMP promptly.