WAVE 3 - Louisville, KYFamily Buys Movie On Video But Gets Porno Flick Instead

Family Buys Movie On Video But Gets Porno Flick Instead

(Louisville, January 2, 2004, 5:30 p.m.)--On New Year's Eve, Tomika Barnett's family planned to ring in the new year watching videos she bought at a local pawn shop. But when one of her children put "Independence Day" in their VCR, an "X" rated movie appeared on the screen. The New Albany woman called WAVE 3 News looking for answers. Our Craig Hoffman has more.

"He pops it in and it's a porno flick. I said, 'okay, turn your heads. Turn your heads." Tomika Barnett jokes now, but New Year's Eve she was very angry.

"They turn their head at kissing scenes on it. They're honor roll students. They don't see stuff like that," said Barnett, the mother of three.

Tomika bought three used movies, Jurassic Park, Pocahontas, and Independence Day, for her 12, 11 and three year old children to watch. She got them at Quick Cash Jewelry and Pawn in New Albany. But when she opened "Independence Day," the label said "First Blood" featuring Sylvester Stallone. But her daughter Michelle says what appeared on the screen was a naked man and a woman having sex.

" I saw a lady laying on a table naked. Q: It wasn't 'Independence Day'? A: No," said 12 year old Michelle.

Her brother, Trevon had never seen anything like that before!

"What's going on? I didn't see it until I turned around. I quickly turned my head. I was in shock," said 11 year old Trevon.

After further inspection, Tomika looked closely at the label. She peeled it back and saw an "X" rated movie labeled "Slut Queens".

"When you go in to purchase something, that's what you expect to get from a business place. You don't go and get something that's this," said Tomika Barnett.

Police say pawn shop owner Jack Dykes runs his business by the book and always obeys the law. He offered this explanation as to what happened.

"As far as going through checking every tape that comes through--that's almost impossible, because you can get anywhere between 20 and 200 video tapes a day. It's hard to go back and watch everyone that comes through, said Dykes."

Jack Dykes plans to closer inspect all videos coming into his business. As for Tomika Barnett and her kids, late Friday afternoon they returned the porno movie, and got a real copy of "Independence Day." She says this is a lesson for all parents to watch your kids closely, especially when they buy or rent a video.

Online Reporter: Craig Hoffman

Online Producer: Charles Gazaway