Mia Talerico plays the titular Charlie on the Disney show Good Luck Charlie , but even the 5-year-old is not immune to the controversy over the show’s introduction of a same-sex couple.
The show last month broke ground as the first Disney sitcom to feature a same-sex couple. The episode also sparked outrage among some activists, and police now say that Talerico herself received death threats.
In the episode, Charlie’s parents are confused about the parents of one of her young friends. Her father, Bob Duncan, thinks that the girl’s mother is named Susan while his wife Amy thinks the mom is Cheryl. They soon find out that they are actually both the mother.
“Taylor has two moms!” father Bob Duncan exclaims.
“Wow, nothing gets past you, Bob,” his wife Amy replies.
Though the episode came under fire by the group Million Moms, Disney stood by the decision to air it.
“This particular storyline was developed under the consultancy of child development experts and community advisors,” a Disney spokesman said. “Like all Disney Channel programming, it was developed to be relevant to kids and families around the world and to reflect themes of diversity and inclusiveness.”
After the episode aired, the Los Angeles Police Department told E! News that Mia Talerico received harassing messages online, prompting the Threat Management Unit to respond. The LAPD did not give specifics on the case, but said the investigation is ongoing.
Police documents obtained by TMZ shed light on the messages, some of which were sent to Mia Talerico on Instagram.
The suspect reportedly sent the young star a message that read, “Die Mia, F–king Die in hell! Kill yourself, you deserve to die.”
Another photograph was sent showing Talerico’s head with a bloody fist coming through it, along with the caption, “Yes, kill you stupid b**ch.”
Reports said Talerico’s mother saw the messages and contacted Disney security members, who in turn called the LAPD.
The death threats against Mia Talerico comes as Good Luck Charlie itself is nearing its end. The series finale of the show is set to air on Sunday, February 16, on Disney Channel.