Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley has dropped charges against an 11-year-old girl who was tased by a police officer. Late Wednesday night, (Aug. 8) Cranley said the decision came at his request.
“Tasing an 11-year-old who posed no danger to the police is wrong. I’m sorry for the harm to her and her family,” Cranley said in a statement. “This evening I called and asked Prosecutor (Joe) Deters to drop charges against the girl. I’m happy to report that he did.”
Monday night (Aug. 7) at 9:30 PM, Officer Kevin Brown reportedly used his Taser on the child after seeing a group of girls stealing snacks inside a local Kroger grocery store. When Brown told the girl to stop, she reportedly turned and walked away, which is when he deployed his Taser hitting her in the back.
The child was arrested and charged with theft and obstructing official business, according to police.
Brown’s actions placed the Cincinnati police department on the national stage, with several major outlets covering the story. The girl’s mother agreed she shouldn’t have been stealing, but Officer Brown’s actions also weren’t necessary.
“She took some things, which she shouldn’t have done, but at the same time, she didn’t have to get treated the way she did for taking those things, she’s only 11 years old,” Donna Gowdy said.
“I don’t believe she gave him any force for him to do that because that’s what Tasers are for. They’re for when he’s getting attacked or when somebody’s got something that’s going to harm him. I don’t believe my 11-year-old harmed him in no fact or any shape or form.”
Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac released a statement Tuesday stating the department was conducting a “very thorough review” of their policies as it pertains to using force on a minor.
“We are extremely concerned when force is used by one of our officers on a child of this age,” the statement reads. Officer Brown has since been placed on restricted duty.
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