dangerous objects

Donesha Gowdy was at a Cincinnati Kroger when she was suspected of stealing candy, chips, soda, and baby clothes, then putting them into her backpack. Cincinnati Police Officer Kevin Brown was off-duty working as a security guard when he spotted her and told her to return the items. When she continued to walk out of the store, Brown tased her in the back. Gowdy says, “It hit my back real fast and then I stopped, then I fell and I was shaking and I couldn't really breathe. It's just like you're passing out but you're shaking." At the time of the incident, Gowdy was 90 pounds and 4 feet 11 inches. According to Cincinnati Police Department procedure, a taser can be used on anyone between the ages of seven to seventy.

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After medics at the scene and staff at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center checked on her, police charged Donesha Gowdy with theft and obstructing official business before releasing her to her parents. The charges were later dropped and the family was able to reach a $240,000 settlement with the city of Cincinnati and Kroger. Cincinnati Police Chief Officer Elliot Isaac said, “Quite frankly, I believe the officer violated our policy. I believe the use of force was unnecessary in this particular circumstance.” Officer Brown was suspended for seven days.

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Sources: 

11-year-old girl suspected of stealing tased by police officer. (2018, August 8). Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/11-year-old-girl-suspected-stealing-tased-police-officer-n898701

 

D'Angelo, B., & Cox Media Group National Content Desk. (2019, February 05). FBI investigates case of girl, 11, shocked with Taser by off-duty Cincinnati policeman. Retrieved from https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/fbi-investigates-case-girl-shocked-with-taser-off-duty-cincinnati-policeman/1foYjtNaZmnVEFJmITTweK/

 

NBC Chicago. (2018, September 05). Chief: Officer Who Used Taser on Girl, 11, Violated Policy. Retrieved from https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/Cincinnati-Officer-Who-Used-Taser-on-11-Year-Old-Girl-Violated-Policy-492516361.html

 

O'Neill, J. (2018, August 09). 11-year-old stunned with Taser: 'It was sad'. Retrieved from https://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/police-officer-used-taser-on-11-year-old-girl-accused-of-stealing-from-kroger

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