A Brooklyn mother is accusing the NYPD of handcuffing her daughter to a precinct pole for nearly seven hours after the teen left school with her mother’s permission.
Lelani Pacific-Jack left Midwood High School after she said she was experiencing painful menstrual cramps, according to The New York Daily News.
The teen was allegedly a few feet away from the school when two officers stopped her and asked for ID. Lelani texted her mother, Danielle, about the stop. Danielle called and explained to the officers that her daughter was allowed to leave. Despite the call and the teen’s pleas, she was arrested.
“Get off of me!” the teen was heard yelling during the arrest. “Let go of my phone! Get off my phone! Mommy!”
Another student recorded part of the incident.
Danielle says her daughter was held for several hours.
“There was no reason for them to hold my daughter for six hours and 45 minutes handcuffed to a pole,” she said. “They cannot get away with this, it's unacceptable behavior. I hope to bring exposure to this behavior … If they are treating minors like this then how are they treating adults?”
Officers are refuting Leilani and Danielle’s account. The NYPD says Leilani was hanging out with a group of kids that were cutting class, and they were all taken into custody.
“We had confirmed that she was not dismissed from school,” said an NYPD spokesman.
The 15-year-old was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice. She was placed on probation.