How do you feel about this story?

[army_paralegal]

April 23, 2005
Video: Police Handcuffed 5-Year-Old Girl
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- A 5-year-old girl was handcuffed by
police after she tore papers off a bulletin board and punched an
assistant principal in kindergarten class, according to a video
released by a lawyer for the child's mother.

The 30-minute tape shows the child appearing to calm down before three
officers pinned her arms behind her back and put on handcuffs as she
screamed, ''No!''

The camera was rolling March 14 as part of a classroom
self-improvement exercise at Fairmount Park Elementary, attorney John
Trevena said.

Trevena, who provided the tape to the media this week, said he got it
from police.

''The image itself will be seared into people's minds when you have
three police officers bending a child over a table and forcibly
handcuffing her,'' said Trevena, who represents the girl's mother,
Inga Akins.

Police spokesman Bill Proffitt said an investigation into the matter
would be complete in about two weeks and the findings would be made
public.

 

[Inch]

This just illustrates everything that's wrong with society today. People are more concerned with the police handcuffing the child than they are with what the child did to deserve it in the first place.

When I was 5 years old, I got the strap for throwing snowballs. The principal probably didn't even hit me that hard but man did it hurt. I never threw another snowball until I was in highschool. Nowadays, the principal would be up on assault charges, while the child would become the victim for getting punished like they should have been.

We've become a society of victims devoid of any responsibility for our actions. You can verbally insult someone to the point where they punch you in the mouth, and now you're the victim even though you provoked the attack and deserved a good shot to the teeth.

 

[COBRA-6]

Agree 100 % Inch... saw the full video on Global National today, the kit was out of control and needed a smack, but everyone was afraid to sort her out... the cops had no choice, and weren't rough with her at all... now the mom is suing the cops... madness!

Here's a clip, but it don't show as much of the kid having a violent fit as global did.

http://nbc10.feedroom.com/iframeset.jsp?ord=83898

 

[P-Free]

The parent wasn't available to come and pick the child up, so the police subdued her before she hurt herself or someone else. Given the circumstances, I think putting the kid in handcuffs was the best choice and the best possible outcome.

 

[COBRA-6]

Until they give tasers to teachers to control the kids whose parents obviously don't...  ;D

If I acted like that growing up my dad would have sorted me out quickly! lol

 

[Slim]

Until they give tasers to teachers to control the kids whose parents obviously don't...   ;D

If I acted like that growing up my dad would have sorted me out quickly! lol

Unfortunately children are no longer 'sorted out." if they were maybe we wouldn't have half the problems we do with them.

Just a thought.

Slim

 

[Torlyn]

Unfortunately children are no longer 'sorted out." if they were maybe we wouldn't have half the problems we do with them.

The apparent propensity for "parents" to allow their children to run amok seems to be increasing at an alarming rate.  Spend 1 hour in the emergency room at any children's hospital for a demonstration of piss poor parenting.  Don't get me wrong, I don't think kids should be hit, spanked, whatever.  My parents never hit me...  My father is a black belt in Hap Ki Do, however, and when I did something bad, I never got the boot.  I got the "hey, why don't you go downstairs and stretch, let's spar a little..."  Think I learned?  hell ya... 

T

 

[Lexi]

The girl deserved the cuffs - she was obviously out of control.
Sometimes I think that physical punishment should be reinitiated in cases like this.
If I remember correctly, the girl told the cops that she only wished she had a daddy at home at that her mommy didn't love her. For all we know, there could be reasons behind her outburst and I don't think it's exactly fair to call her "spoiled" when she claims she's deprived of affection. The mother could at least try and sort out the issues involving her own daughter, but instead she's sueing the people that kept her child from hurting herself and others. Says something about the mother of this girl, doesn't it?  :

Growing up I was always whacked back into line. Sure, sometimes I deserved it, other times I believe my punishments were a tad harsh. But did I learn my lessons? You better believe I did. (That, and I'm scared crapless of my parents.) The child needs to learn discipline and respect for others FAST, because if it isn't etched in stone now, she's going to have a hell of a time later on in life.

Another thing... why didn't they blur the little girl's face out? I think it would be a reasonable thing to do - after all this girl is young and she may not even realise the severity of her actions if that sort of thing is frequent within her home. Later on in life she'll grow up and quite possibly be someone respectable, (note.. I said POSSIBLY,) and yet she'll still be shunned and looked down upon because of this video clip.

 

[Torlyn]

The girl deserved the cuffs - she was obviously out of control.

I'd be more willing to handcuff the mother.  I'm sorry, but if a child acts like this at *5* years old, you have to look to the parents.

T

 

[larry Strong]

It really is a dilemma, The schools are handcuffed in what they can do.I think most of the blame should go to the parent(s) in cases like this, a child is an empty slate and has to be filled out in a way that will foster proper behavior in public. All to often you see children running amok at stores, malls, restaurants. and the parents have a blank vapid smile on their faces, Also you never know when you discipline your child, whether or not some pompous do-gooder is going to report you to Children's Services, and have some zealot Social Worker come knock on your door, and bring all the baggage and stigma and financial duress that guilty until proven innocent by Social Services brings.

http://www.injusticebusters.com/04/Young_Wanda.shtml

This is just an example of what happens when Social Services gets a bone in their teeth.