Social media users’ claims that bullied Australian boy Quaden Bayles, 9, faked his age have since been debunked

In a photo taken from video provided by Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Quaden Bayles (center), his mother Yarraka Bayles, and Cody Walker, a professional rugby league player, pose together on Feb 21, 2020, in Gold Coast, Australia. Bayles, who has dwarfism, received an outpouring of support worldwide after his mother shared an emotional clip of him on social media. — Australian Broadcasting Corporation/AP

Social media users have claimed that nine-year-old Quaden Bayles, who received widespread support and encouragement after his mother Yarakka posted a video of him crying for being bullied in school, is actually an 18-year-old actor.

A user on Facebook created a widely-shared post claiming that Bayles "has scammed everybody","has plenty of money" and has even deleted earlier social media postings where he had celebrated his 18th birthday. Photos of Bayles dressed in designer clothing and posing with friends at what is claimed to be his own birthday party were also circulated by other social media users.