A recently surfaced video from January 2020 depicts a shocking encounter between Maryland police officers and a 5-year-old Black kindergartener. The footage shows officers yelling at the child just inches away from his face, labeling him a “little beast” and handcuffing him as he sobs after an incident at school where he allegedly struck a teacher and walked away.
The body camera video, released by the Montgomery County Police Department, captures two officers forcibly placing the distressed child in the back of their police vehicle while making threats. One officer can be heard telling the boy, “Does your mama spank you? They need to spank you today,” as he cries. “I would have been beaten nine times before I got home. Don’t nobody want to hear that, ain’t nobody listening.”
Viewer discretion is advised, as the footage is distressing.
After the child was returned to East Silver Spring Elementary School, he was confined to a room with the officers, where their yelling continued. Over the course of the 50-minute video, the interaction escalated, causing the boy to become increasingly upset. Montgomery County Council member, Alex Bennett, expressed his horror on social media, stating, “I watched in horror as what can only be described as a nightmare unfolded for nearly an hour. It made me sick.”
At one point, as the child remained in tears, one officer leaned down and shouted at him, referring to him as a “horrible little beast.” When the child’s mother finally arrived, the officers suggested she discipline him physically, stating, “We want you to beat him.” They then proceeded to handcuff the child, warning him to obey adults or face consequences, stating, “You know what these are for? These are for people who don’t want to listen and don’t know how to act.”
In response to the incident, the child’s mother has filed a lawsuit against Montgomery County, Montgomery County Public Schools, and the Montgomery County Police Department, seeking justice and compensation for her son’s emotional trauma. School officials expressed their deep concern, stating, “There is no excuse for adults to ever speak to or threaten a child in this way. When families send their children to school, they expect that the staff will care for them and keep them safe.” An internal investigation by the police department is currently underway, yet both officers remain on the force.
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In conclusion, this distressing incident highlights the urgent need for reform in how law enforcement interacts with children, particularly in schools. The emotional well-being of young students must always be prioritized, ensuring they are treated with care and respect.