Mother shocked: police in California handcuffed an 8-year-old mentally retarded child
'22.10.2018'
Source: The Daily Mail
The mother of an eight-year-old mentally handicapped boy says police handcuffed her “screaming, fighting and crying” child after he left his elementary school campus.
On Thursday, the Butt County Sheriff’s deputies handcuffed the boy after he left the primary school grounds in Chico, California, writes The Daily Mail.
“I was shocked,” said the boy's mother, Megan Rami. “It broke my heart. I started crying, and now I will cry again. "
Raimi said that her son often leaves school, but in a few steps a child should always be accompanied. This situation has been repeatedly discussed with the director and there is agreement on the actions of adults in such cases.
However, on Thursday, the officers, having seen a child who crosses the street and looks confused and restless, decided to take action. They headed towards the boy, but he continued to walk away from the police. According to the officers, they were worried that the child would go on a busy street.
County Sheriff Corey Honey says: "At one point the officer grabbed him and held him, it immediately led to a fight, he even scratched the policeman."
The child was handcuffed. Honi says the officers chose not to send him to the patrol car for fear that he might harm himself. The mother arrived at the scene and saw her son in handcuffs - this shocked the woman.
“His hands are behind him, his pants slipped, his shoes fell off,” says my mother. "He screamed, fought, cried, and he also has asthma."
The video of the child’s detention was viral on the Internet, and many news agencies published it.
According to the sheriff, he understands that the image of an eight-year-old boy with disabilities, chained in handcuffs, shows the work of his department is not in the best light.
“When you hold on to someone, even so they don't hurt themselves, those people scream and cry, you know it doesn't look good,” says Honi.
“My heart is with all the people gathered here - but from what I see, I can conclude that their actions were motivated by fears for this young man.”
Reimi said that, despite the pain she felt from the sight of the shackled son, she maintained her composure. The mother and father of the child intend to file a formal complaint. According to the woman, she does not blame the school. She also reported that the boy had to undergo medical treatment because of a bruised wrist.
