A Yuma, Arizona tattoo artist is facing online backlash for tattooing an American flag on a 9-year-old girl. The artist, identified as Sosa, a part owner of Black Onyx Empire Tattoo, defended his actions, citing the family's cultural background and the girl's desire for a patriotic design, initially for a Trump-themed tattoo.
The incident, which generated significant online debate about the appropriateness of tattooing minors, even with parental consent, stems from a 2023 tattoo session. A video surfaced in 2023, with the girl returning for a touch-up in 2024.
Sosa stated that while his typical minimum age for tattoos is 15 with parental consent, the family's unusual request was a deviation from his typical practice. He emphasized the family's gratitude for being in the United States and their perception of Donald Trump as a positive figure, linking the tattoo to a cultural tradition.
Despite the controversy, Sosa maintains he did not break any Arizona laws regarding underage tattooing, which permits such procedures with parental consent. He acknowledged the negative publicity and the subsequent negative reviews his business received.
The artist stressed that he didn't intend to promote underage tattooing, and attributed the controversy to the usual nature of online debate.
