Arkansas Cop Tasers 10-Year-Old Girl

(AP)  The mayor of a small Arkansas town wants an independent investigation on whether it was appropriate for a police officer to use a Taser on an unruly 10-year-old girl who kicked him in the groin.

Mayor Vernon McDaniel says he wants Arkansas State Police or the FBI to look into whether the use of the Taser was proper. The girl, who hasn't been identified, wasn't hurt and is now at the Western Arkansas Youth Shelter in Cecil.

Ozark police were called to the home Nov. 11 after the girl's mother couldn't get the child to take a shower.

Ozark Police Chief Jim Noggle, who has defended the officer's action, didn't immediately return a call for comment Wednesday morning.

[babygirl6502]

unless this child has substantial mental problems (which the mother should have already saught out medical help if things were really that bad) and would really seek out to cause substantial physical harm for no other reason should she have been tased. Has anyone ever heard of a temper tantrum!!! wow she is 10, just a baby, if she is that out of control get her help because you love her don't be a pathetic mother and let things get out of control and treat her that way. who knows if she really has mental issues that could have really screwed her up, and if not she will probably have large trust issues with authority.. and then charging the child with a crime! what the heck is that, SHES 10! she needs some loving discipline. he mother should have disciplined her the right way and not let her take advantage and get her way all her life. if that is what a child is taught then that is all they know. its not the childs fault. leave the poor baby alone. if she needs mental help then get her some, but don't punish her, believe me the tasering was punishment enough in her eyes can you imagine! give her to her dad if the mom can't handle it!

[riggermortis]

This is mind boggling on a number of levels...

What kind of parent needs a cop's help to make their 10 year old bathe?

What was the police department thinking when they sent a cop out on this call?

Why wasn't the caller redirected to a social worker?

What kind of cop is so ******* weak that he needs a taser to subdue a 10 year old girl?

This is not rocket surgery, folks. The police dispatcher who took the call should have referred the caller to a social services agency. Stinking is neither a crime, nor an emergency. If the child was agitated enough to be a danger to herself or others, then mental health officials and paramedics should have been sent instead of a cop. Two large adults should be able to hold a 10 year old down long enough for a third to administer a tranquilizer without causing injury, or being in danger of being injured themselves. Once the kid's safely knocked out, she can be moved to a safe environment and evaluated by child psychologist.

I guess good judgement isn't a prerequisite for being a law enforcement official in that part of the world....

[jaredswiffy]

I just wanted to say that the mother asked the police officer to come over, she asked for help with the child, and she agrees with the officers actions from what I was told via local news (I am from the area). She did not call just because she would not take a bath. The child has a history of violent outbursts again according to local news. Not that I am saying what happened was right or wrong but never the less this is a very short description of what acutally took place. Also the police department did not say his use of the weapon was wrong but that he did not turn on the camera on the taser during its use. Just FYI.

[drijames]

You are kidding? Many children have violent outbursts. An dthe fact that a mother would give someone "permission" to use a taser on their ten year ole, I have to wonder the reason behind any of the childs violent outburst. This is a ten year old people. A TEN YEAR OLD CHILD!!! All I can say as tears fal is ' Father please help her and forgive everyone else for thier lack of love, understanding and compassion!

[coffee71463]

If you can not subdue a 10 year old girl or boy without the assistance of a taser, you do not need to be a police officer. Have a nice day.

[Blue_Architect]

Wow, then I suppose you have some sort of personal knowledge on what is actually required for an individual to be a Police Officer. Probably not because absent the fact he failed to attach the camera, he was following Policy and Procedure as well as Response to Resistance. Then again, you don't happen to know that, do you?

[heepgrime]

This cop should have his children taken away if he has any, be required to take further educational classes and have a no contact order with any children until further investigation. The cop could have just Simply Turned Sideways and or Backed Up after all he learned that in required self defense classes to protect the weakest point as he knew the child was all ready kicking when he moved forward towards the child. If a small child could have that outcome on a trained cop is the cop properly trained?

What caused this young child?s behavior? Could it be a meth lab fumes in the building, does the mother leave drugs around, does the mother abuse the child, was the child scared not wanting to be left alone or a numerous other causes. Is it not a normal child behavior to sometime be rebellious? It is!

I feel the mother needs parenting classes and have child support services make surprise visits after she is ruled a fit mother. As in the report (mom said to teaser the child) sounds like she is a control freak.

The child needs to be released and charges dismissed. The officer should be charged and tried for using excessive force and any other charges within the law.

[PCL1]

I sympathize with the cop. If he had tried to restrain this smelly little monster, she would have accused him of molesting her. Mace might have done the job, but people would be calling him cruel for that too. Either way, this kid should be charged with battery, there is no excuse for what she did. Notice that there is no mention of a father here.

[linfinster]

The cop was right to taz the child. She wasn't injured, it was effective 'cause I bet she wont crotch kick a cop again and maybe listed to her mother better. She was out of control over a shower!

[moddaywar]

I agree with veteran71. "what I could make out" He tasered a ten year old for kicking him in the groin. She got off easy.

[Sloughfoot]

Tasers are to be used to lesson the likelyhood of injury to subject who must be subdued.

Now with that in mind had the article read Officer refuses to taser 10 year old and breaks the thrashing child's arm in the ensuing encounter - you same "Get The Pig" snivelers would be clammoring for his or her head.

Wonder why 10 and 11 year olds kill other 10 and 11 year olds. Take a look in the mirror, you been looking for excuses to justify their violent and offensive behavior all of their lives. They've been playing you like a junk yard fiddle forever.

[Jman2318]

Shame on the mother for not being a parent and beating the mess out of this kid for disobeying her when she was younger. This bad parenting led to this situation.
As for the cop, I totally support him defending himself from this out of control child by zapping her.