"Hey my little Tater Tot, can I sit with you?" Ophelia Nichols asked at the beginning of a May 2022 TikTok. It's how she begins many of her videos, which often have a supportive, uplifting tone.

Ophelia Nichols is well known and loved by fans near and far. The popular TikToker known as Mama Tot, has shared much of her life with her social media followers, including the tragic loss of her son.

Over the past few days, thousands of fans have been sending donations and condolence messages to Ophelia Nichols, an Alabama-based TikTok influencer whose son was shot dead a day before his 19th ...