Kentucky Appeals Court Affirms Order Barring Ex-Partner from Social Media Posts

A three-judge panel of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, led by Judge Sara Walter Combs, confirmed an interpersonal protective order that prevents Kelly King from mentioning or depicting Kendra Brown online. The order, originally issued by a family court, bars King from using any social-media platform to reference Brown, her name, likeness, or property, and also forbids third-party electronic contact. The appellate court relied on Brown’s detailed testimony and corroborating witness accounts describing multiple episodes of physical aggression and public harassment, including a bar incident, trespassing at Brown’s residence, and a series of TikTok videos that attracted threatening remarks from King’s followers.

The judges concluded that King’s online conduct constituted a real threat, not protected speech, and therefore upheld the injunction. King’s argument that the order amounted to an unconstitutional prior restraint was rejected, with the court citing precedent that similar restrictions are permissible when aimed at preventing harassment and intimidation.