A viral body positivity influencer’s sudden disappearance from social media has been explained by newly released body camera footage showing a chaotic arrest that required police to use a box truck when she couldn’t fit in their patrol car.
Jaylen Cheney, 29, known online as “JB,” built a substantial following advocating for plus-size inclusivity and famously campaigned for airlines to provide free seats to overweight travelers. Her content routinely went viral, though not always for reasons she intended, as her demands often sparked heated online debates. But in February 2025, her active social media presence went completely silent, leaving her followers confused and concerned.
The mystery was solved when arrest records surfaced online revealing Cheney faced seven charges including criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, and assault, with a bond set at $2,500. The incident occurred at Trio’s Medical Hospital in Kennewick, Washington, where staff called police about an escalating disturbance. According to reports, Cheney was not there for medical reasons and was actively causing problems.
Body camera footage released in October showed the full extent of the bizarre encounter. When officers issued Cheney a trespass warning, she ripped it up in front of them, declaring,
“I want to get arrested.”
What followed was an hours-long ordeal where Cheney refused to cooperate, lying on the ground and demanding officers move her. She allegedly threatened to kill officers’ families, told them to burn in hell, and even swung at an officer, hitting him in the shoulder and arm.
The situation became even more unusual when officers realized Cheney, who stated she weighs 550 pounds, could not fit in their patrol car. Police had to call for a box truck and use a tarp to lift her into the vehicle. Throughout the arrest, Cheney repeatedly claimed officers were assaulting her and said,
“I can’t breathe,”
despite appearing to breathe normally on camera.
Following her arrest, a public defender filed for a competency evaluation, claiming Cheney suffered from mental disease or defect. She was found incompetent on March 11th. Medical evaluations later revealed she was suffering from delirium due to sepsis, PTSD, and an unspecified personality disorder. During evaluation, Cheney disclosed she had recently called off her six-year engagement to fellow plus-size influencer Jacob Ard, accusing him of abuse.
Hospital staff reported that during her stay, Cheney refused treatment, misused her call light, regularly claimed to be pregnant or having a miscarriage despite negative tests, and behaved so erratically that staff began interacting with her only from hallways or in pairs. The deputy prosecuting attorney eventually filed a motion to dismiss the case.
Cheney was released in May and has maintained a low profile since. Her father Jerome told reporters she is doing well, though it remains unclear whether she will return to social media activism. Her previous content remains public, leaving open the possibility of a future comeback once she receives the help she needs.
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