MIAMI (WSVN) - A change in policy is coming to Miami-Dade County Public Schools after an incident, involving a 7-year-old boy who was handcuffed by police after allegedly attacking a teacher, sparked outrage in the community.
Cellphone video captured a female officer escorting the child in handcuffs to a police cruiser outside Coral Way K-8 Center in Miami, Jan. 26. He was taken away for an involuntary psychiatric evaluation.
According to Miami-Dade Schools Police, the student had been reprimanded for playing with his food in the cafeteria.
The police reports states that’s when he “attacked the teacher by repeatedly punching her on her back, in the hallway.”
The attack did not end there. The report states, “Once the teacher restrained the juvenile from attacking her, the juvenile continued to fight her with his fists and legs, causing both the teacher and the juvenile to fall to the ground.”
The student’s parents were stunned. “My heart’s been broken,” the mother, Mercy Alvarez, told 7News on Jan. 27.
“I was in shock,” said his father, Rolando Fuentes.
The teacher involved in the attack wanted to press charges.
“They said he’s a danger to society. What? At seven years old?” said Fuentes.
After the student’s parents arrived at the school and spoke to the principal, they agreed on a 10-day suspension.
But the parents said the officer told them they had only two choices for their son: his arrest or a Baker Act evaluation.
Florida law allows police to take people away for a psychiatric exam if they pose a danger to themselves or others and appear to be mentally ill.
Back in November, the child had another run-in with Miami-Dade Schools Police when he was accused of kicking a teacher. That matter was resolved with the school.
Regarding the Jan. 26 incident, Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Ian Moffett said the action was warranted and complied with standard operating procedure.
In response to the uproar the situation triggered, the school district announced the following changes to how situations like this will be handled in the future:
- School administrators will now contact law enforcement only as a last resort.
- The child’s parent, guardian or another authorized adult should always be contacted.
- If a child does need to be transported, an ambulance should be used instead of a police cruiser.
- A commanding officer must review each case — and approve any action.
- Handcuffs will only be used when absolutely necessary.
Speaking with 7News on Saturday, Fuentes said, although he is unsure as to whether his son will return to Coral Way K-8 Center, he is hoping for the best from the policy change.
“We need to make sure they accomplish what they say,” he said.
These changes are expected to go into effect next week.
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