Lawsuit Alleging Child Abuse Filed Against Mom of YouTube Star Piper Rockelle Ends in $1.85 Million Settlement

Mar. 15, 2025

Piper Rockelle and her mom, Tiffany Smith.Photo: Piper Rockelle/Instagram

A $1.85 million settlement has been reached in achild abuse lawsuitagainst the mother of YouTuberPiper Rockelle, Tiffany Smith, nearly three years after the complaint was filed in January 2022. The settlement was entered without any admission of liability or the validity or lack thereof of any claims or defenses.

The plaintiffs, all minors, were part of the “Piper Squad” from 2017 to 2020. They participated in various storylines and vlog-styled content uploaded to Rockelle’sYouTube channel, which boasts more than 10 million subscribers.

PEOPLE reached out to Smith for comment.

Piper Rockelle and her mom, Tiffany Smith.Piper Rockelle/Instagram

Among the allegations against Smith included putting the minors in uncomfortable scenarios and fostering a toxic environment such as Smith chasing the plaintiffs around the house “shouting obscene and sexually graphic phrases,” asking the plaintiffs questions about their sex life and “encouraging” them to try oral sex and offering “hemp brownies to plaintiffs who unwittingly consumed them.”

“My youth was stripped away at a very young age because of Tiffany,” alleged Sophia F., one of the plaintiffs. “This lawsuit was never about money — it was to make sure she couldn’t do what she did to me to another kid.”

The plaintiffs hope their case “will raise awareness about the potential dangers for minors” in the digital influencer industry as it continues to grow, in addition to “serve as a warning to others.”

Ashley Anne-Rock Smith, the mother of two plaintiffs, spoke withNBC Newsabout the lawsuit in April 2023. “I just want peace back with my kids,” she said of her daughters, who had appeared in 94 videos on the channel. “I also hope we move the needle on these platforms that are allowing this.”

In the original complaint, the teen creators also allege they were unpaid for their contributions though it’s unclear if they were ever promised payment. Each teen involved in the claim is asked for around $2 million in damages from Smith.

In July 2022, Smith and Rockellecountersued the mothersof the 11 ex-members of the “Piper Squad,” seeking $30 million. She alleged they engaged in a conspiracy to defame her and extort money.

“We all love YouTube and it’s a great place, but when somebody is using it as a business and pulling other children in, those people should have to uphold a certain standard,” Steevy Areeco, the mother of another teen creator, told NBC News. “We want there to be protections for the children.”

In September 2024, California took a stand toprotect child influencerson social media. The two laws will offer child influencers financial protections, setting aside a percentage of their earnings in a trust account.

“Under new state labor laws, child creators on all platforms will now get a trust fund for their earnings that are accessible when they turn 18,” wroteCalif. Governor Gavin Newsomon X (formerly Twitter) on Sept. 26.

source: people.com