Mother asks for child to be tased.

I recent read a story about a taser being used on a 10-year old child in Arkansas. Reportedly, the mother called the police when her daughter became defiant and combative. When the officer, Dustin Bradshaw, arrived he found the girl screaming and crying on the floor. When the girl refused to follow her mother’s instructions, the mother told Bradshaw to use his taser. Officer Bradshaw then carried the girl to the living room and told her she was going to jail. The girl then reportedly struck the officer in the groin with her legs and feet. Bradshaw then administered what was reported as a “very, very brief” stun with a taser, put the girl in handcuffs, and carried her to the patrol car. She was then taken to the Western Arkansas Youth Shelter.

I read this story and I was very appalled. I could not believe someone would use a taser on a child. Not to mention the mother telling the officer to use it on her child. I understand that some children can be out of hand and be very combative. I used to work in a home where we took in children from families that was experiencing a crisis, as well as, children awaiting foster placement. At times these children could be very combative and abusive but never would I suggest or even think they need to be tased. There are other ways to handle children like this. Unless the child is armed themselves and is truly a threat to themselves or others with said weapon, then it may be permitted. I truly think that this officer was upset that the girl kicked him in the groin. If I was a guy I know that would make “lose it.” I would die if someone tased my child. They would probably have to tase me in the end.

This isn’t the first case reported about kids being tased. In another article I found on the National School Safety and Security Services website, it mentioned several instances where children were tased. In Orlando, Fl a 14-year old girl was tased, twice, by a sheriff’s deputy, after she reportedly went after her boyfriend with an 8-inch chopping knife in hand and the turned on another deputy who did direct her to stop and drop her weapon. Reportedly she had written a note on her notebook reminding herself to bring the knife, and she had also told friends that she was going to kill her boyfriend. She went after her boyfriend as soon as they exited the school bus and before the officials at the school she attended for emotionally challenged students could conduct their weapons search.

In this case, I am not sure how I would react. The child did have a weapon but she was attending a school for emotionally challenged students. I do not how challenged she was but I could not imagine having to tase her twice. That can be good for someone who apparently already has emotional problems.