Mother says her 11-year-old son was handcuffed and detained “for riding his own bicycle”, she now demands better training after the boy is left emotionally scarred

The mother of a young boy says her 11-year-old son was reportedly handcuffed and detained for allegedly stealing a bike. The mom now demands better officer training after her son is left emotionally scarred. Officers reportedly identified the boy for allegedly punching a person and stealing someone else’s bike. But according to the family, that is all wrong. His family denies the allegations. A video of the incident shows his family pleading for the police to let their beloved go at the scene.

WFTV reports that this incident occurred in Florida, on Feb. 20, following a robbery call. The responding officers reportedly identified the 11-year-old boy, Jamir Bradford, for allegedly punching a person and stealing someone else’s bike.

But according to the family, that is all wrong. Bradford’s family denies the allegations. A video of the incident shows his family pleading for the police to let their beloved go at the scene.

A bystander from the video reportedly said: “He’s scared! He’s scared, he’s scared. That little boy’s scared.”

Jamir’s mother, Melani Brown, claims that her son was taking a ride on his own bike around the neighborhood when a truck driver pulled up to him and accused him of stealing a bike.

The mother also said that the officers later questioned him at a park and reportedly handcuffed him.

The responding officers then evaluated the bike for serial numbers and released him to his mother. There are no charges against Bradford, WFTV reports.

Jamir’s mother, Melani Brown, reportedly said: “He was arrested, handcuffed, and charged with robbery and battery for riding his own bicycle.”

The mom also said that this unfortunate incident has taken a negative toll on her son and wants officers to receive proper training in handling minors.

Melani Brown also said: “He said, ‘Mommy when I seen the officer with his hand on his gun, I wanted to run.’ I said, ‘For what? You did nothing wrong.”

The 11-year-old boy was identified by a victim as part of a group that tried to take a bicycle by force, police said. Officials also said the victim was punched in the face, though it is not clear who threw the punch.

A national civil rights activist, John Barnett, said a local lawyer he’s consulting with says they can’t find charges when checking with juvenile court.