Jun 25, 2007 5:30 pm US/Eastern
Mom Says Son Was Handcuffed At The Playground
HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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A special needs child with medical problems and the developmental capacity of an 8-year-old was allegedly handcuffed at the playground of his school, his mother claims, because a substitute aide mistook his playfulness for aggression. (File)
CBS
A special needs child with medical problems and the developmental capacity of an 8-year-old was allegedly handcuffed at the playground of his school, his mother claims, because a substitute aide mistook his playfulness for aggression.
Rosa Caraballo tells CBS New York that she found her 11-year-old son, Edgar Leon-Caraballo, who is learning disabled and suffers from a rare medical condition that could kill him, allegedly on the ground last month at his school's playground surrounded by security staff, teachers, and even Suffolk County police officer.
Edgar, who has a feeding tube in his stomach and an opening in his shoulder for an intravenous drip, had his hands cuffed behind his back as he cried out for help, screaming 'Mommy I can't get up,' his mother claims.
Caraballo and her lawyer have filed a $10 million notice of claim against the Huntington School District and Suffolk County Police for the incident.
"There was a policeman there. Rosa told him 'Why is my son handcuffed?' And he said, 'I don't know he should not have been handcuffed like this,'" said Anthony Capetola, the attorney filing the lawsuit.
Capetola says the handcuffs were then removed, and an ambulance was called. Edgar's doctor said his condition can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
Today on the streets of Huntington, parents who support their schools and police now have questions.
"I would like to know what this child did," one parent told CBS 2.
"You need to restrain the child for the child's safety also," said another.
Because of pending litigation the school district cannot comment on the child's behavior or what might have led to the cuffing.
Investigators are looking into the allegations. So far it's not clear if "police handcuffs" were used, or if the child was restrained in some other way.
Edgar's mother contends that her son had a substitute aide on that day last month, who was threatened by his collection of stones on the playground and mild disobedience.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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