The family of a Florida girl who made headlines after she was arrested and handcuffed aged just six for attacking teachers in 2019 has filed a lawsuit against Orlando cops.
Viral footage of the incident shows then first-grader Kaia Rolle sobbing after she was placed in zip ties at Lucious and Emma Nixon Academy Charter School for kicking and punching three staffers.
Her grandmother, Meralyn Kirkland, said this week the now 10-year-old is still suffering from residual trauma from the incident.
“This is a lifelong mission of recovery for Kaia,” she said. “This should not happen.”
The viral bust led to the firing of former Orlando cop Dennis Turner and sparked new legislation that raised the minimum arrest age in Florida to seven.
However, in addition to seeking damages, Rolle’s family is demanding the minimum arrest age be raised to 14.
“There is no way a minimum age for an arrest at the age of seven can be allowed to stand,” Kirkland said.
Police were called to Rolle’s school after she assaulted several teachers during a violent temper tantrum.
Misdemeanor battery charges against Rolle were dropped. Orlando Police Department
Rolle begged officers not to place her in a police car. Orlando Police Department“She’s going to have to come with us now,” Turner tells a school staffer, the video shows. “Stand up, stand up … come over here.”
“What are those for?” Rolle asks.
Then 6, Kaia Rolle was placed in zip ties and arrested for assaulting teachers in 2019. Orlando Police Department“It’s for you,” Turner replies coolly.
Rolle then begins crying and implores another officer at the scene not to put on the restraints.
“It’s not going to hurt,” he says.
“No, no, I don’t want handcuffs on!” Kaia wails. “No, don’t put handcuffs on! Please!”
She was then taken to a marked police vehicle and hit with a battery charge which was later dropped.
However, her bust included fingerprinting Rolle and taking her mugshot.
“I don’t want to go in the police car,” she wailed. “Please!”
“You don’t want to?” a second cop replies. “You have to.”
Rolle’s family files suit against Orlando cops this week. FOX 35 Orlando“Please — give me a second chance!” Kaia cries. “Please, let me go!”
Kirkland said at the time Kaia suffered from chronic sleep apnea, which led to her outbursts. School administrators said they did not intend for Rolle to be arrested after they called cops.
The lawsuit — which names the Orlando Police Department, Turner, and several top administrators as defendants — is seeking unspecified damages.
