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Officers Accused Of Using Taser On 10-Year-Old

2 Martinsville Officers Suspended After Day Care Incident

POSTED: 5:44 pm EDT March 31, 2010
UPDATED: 8:45 am EDT April 1, 2010

Two Martinsville police officers have been suspended after they were accused of using a Taser to subdue a 10-year-old.

A news release from the mayor's office and the Martinsville Police Department said the officers responded Tuesday evening to Tender Teddies Day Care on reports of a 10-year-old who was out of control.

The release said that the officers, trying to prevent the child from hurting other children, staff members and himself, slapped the boy and then used a Taser to subdue him.

"While the department will not condone the unnecessary treatment of any subject, regardless of age, in any apprehension situation, additional comments will not be made pending results of the final investigation," the release read.

The day care's owner, Heath Lancaster, did not want to comment on the case, saying only that it was in the hands of the Department of Child Services and police.

Officials said officers had been called to the day care before about the same child.

"One of the police officers came out here and said they have trouble with him all the time because he is a problem child," said neighbor Stephanie Hamilton. "He was kicking and screaming … and he wouldn't quit."

Kenneth Frazier said he believes the boy needs help.

"I don't think that should have happened. I'm sure they could have detained him some other way," he said. "They take big grown ups down without tasing them … why a 10-year-old?"

Officials said the two officers, whose names weren't released, have been suspended with pay and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by the Morgan County Sheriff's Department.
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