In a troubling incident in Orlando, Florida, a school resource officer, identified as Officer Mark Henderson, is now under scrutiny after arresting two young students—one just six years old. This investigation follows Officer Henderson’s actions at the Lucious and Emma Nixon Academy, a local charter school.
The first arrest involved an eight-year-old whose specific charges remain unclear, but it set a concerning precedent. The most alarming case, however, was that of six-year-old Mia Thompson, who was arrested for reportedly throwing a tantrum and kicking another student. On September 19, 2019, Officer Henderson placed Mia under arrest for “battery charges,” handcuffing her and transporting her in a police vehicle to a juvenile detention center, where she was fingerprinted and had her mug shot taken—although she was returned to school before formal processing.
Mia’s grandmother, Linda Parker, was understandably outraged upon discovering that her granddaughter had been treated in such a manner. In a conversation with local news outlet WXYZ, she expressed her disbelief: “No child should ever have to say they were handcuffed and taken away in a police car. It’s just wrong!” When Linda mentioned that Mia’s outburst could be linked to her struggles with a medical condition, the officer seemed dismissive, stating, “I have that condition too, and I don’t act out like that.”
The backlash on social media was swift and fierce, leading to the investigation into Officer Henderson for failing to secure approval from a watch commander prior to arresting a child under the age of 12. This is not an isolated incident; there have been numerous cases where children, particularly black children, have faced similar treatment. In May 2019, a video surfaced showing police arresting a 12-year-old boy seemingly doing nothing wrong. In another instance, an 11-year-old boy in Florida was arrested for refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, with his mother asserting that the situation should have been managed by the school.
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In summary, the case of Officer Henderson highlights the need for more appropriate responses to children’s behavior in schools, especially when it leads to extreme measures like arrest. The investigation continues as the community grapples with the implications of these actions on young lives.
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