Community seeking answers after 10-year-old boy handcuffed by DC Police
WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - A viral video shows DC Police officers detaining a 10-year-old boy in handcuffs and the department is facing questions over how it handles contact with children.
A witness shot the video on Saturday around 4 p.m. and it shows officers handcuffing a young boy and then putting him into a patrol car.
Police tell FOX 5 the boy was a suspect in the attack and armed robbery of a 12-year-old boy. Police say a group of young boys stole the victim's cell phone after pointing a BB gun at him, then ran.
A spokeswoman for the DC Police Department says officers recovered the BB gun on Monday.
Police stopped a group of the boys near H and 5th streets in Northeast, where witnesses tell FOX 5 they were detained without their parents for nearly an hour.
FOX 5 spoke to Chaquitta Williams, the mother of the 10-year-old seen in the video. Williams says her son was with the group of boys involved in the robbery but was mistakenly identified as having participated.
Williams says she came to the scene only after a witness got her number from her son and called her.
"The police have cell phones. They could've said 'excuse me can I call your mom?'" Williams said.
Police say the 10-year-old was eventually released to his mother and was not arrested. A 13-year-old boy was arrested at the scene.
According to a police source, the 10-year-old will likely not face charges and instead take part in a diversion program.
A statement provided by police says officers on the scene contacted the Youth and Family Services Division, which is in line with police protocol.
Ward 6 council member Charles Allen said the incident raises important questions about how the police handle juvenile suspects.
"I think it's a fair question for us to have and a fair conversation to have with MPD about should a 10-year-old have their hands behind their back, be handcuffed and put into a car. Are there other ways for us to think about our work with juveniles?" Allen asked.
Police did not answer questions about whether or not parents were properly notified.