The parents of a 9-year-old Florida child seen screaming expletives while handcuffed have filed a lawsuit, claiming the school and school resources officers failed to adhere to a specialized plan created for the boy, who reportedly has behavioral issues.
According to Fox 35, Oviedo police body cam footage shows a Stenstrom Elementary fourth grade student having a violent tantrum, screaming and hurling objects. Staffers attempted to shield themselves with padded mats before officers handcuffed the boy.
The incident happened on February 2 inside the school mailroom, according to the incident report, but video footage was recently released by the police department.
“If you can relax, we can take the cuffs off. But you’re literally endangering everybody here by hitting everybody,” one of the responding officers said. “And they don’t come to work to get beat up. They come to work to teach you.”
“F*** you,” the boy replied.
According to the family lawyer, the school district created a Behavioral Intervention Plan for the child, outlining behavioral issues defined as “hitting, kicking, pushing, throwing items and property destruction.”
The plan directed school staff confronted by the student’s physical aggression to avoid engagement beyond task completion while limiting the attention given to him.
Subsequently, the student’s family filed a lawsuit against the city and school resource officers seeking over $75,000 in damages. They argue the officers violated the agreement by handcuffing a child under sixth grade.
Former Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon told the outlet the situation was unfortunate for both the child and the officers involved.
“Ultimately, what every law enforcement officer wishes is that the situation is de-escalated before they even get involved, but in this situation obviously there was a lot going on.”
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[Feature Photo: Screenshot/Oveida PD bodycam]
