After a 14-year-old Arizona boy had a run-in with police for alleged drug use, people are now questioning the practices by officers and their ability to handle certain situations.
In July, David Grossman, an officer from Buckeye police, mistook Connor Leibel for a drug user. While patrolling a quiet neighborhood park, the officer claimed he saw the teen put his hand up to his face, giving him suspicion to handcuff and detain the boy.
That's when the officer lost control of the situation, and forced the boy to the ground causing multiple scrapes to his back, arms and face as they fell into a nearby tree.
Connor was using a small string to "stim", which is a coping mechanism common for people with autism. In Connor's case he flicks a small string in front of his face as a repetitive motion.
Diane Leibel, the teen's mother asked to see the police body camera video to get some more clarity on what happened.
"It was excruciating honestly," she said. "I've never heard my son scream like that before. I don't understand how it even got there."
On August 2, ABC received an anonymous email tip about the incident.
"On wed. 7-19-17 between 4-5pm, a 14 year old autistic boy was tackled to the ground by a Buckeye police officer at a playground in Verrado. The officer was repeatedly told that the boy was autistic but refused to let him up until backup arrived, the boy had nothing to indicate he was a threat. Please investigate this story, this is appalling, and must be known ....terrible, please investigate."
And they did.
Autism is a spectrum disorder that can range in conditions including challenges with social skills, speech and non-verbal communication. Each person with autism can fall anywhere on the spectrum which can range from mild to severe.
"We were afraid that our child would be ridiculed or that something would happen somewhere along the line," Danielle Leibel said. "I didn't think it would be from a police officer."
Connor's caregiver had left him alone at the park while she dropped his sibling off at her piano lessons. Within 30 seconds of Connor and the officer ending up on the ground, Julie, his caregiver was on the scene.
She explained to him that the boy had autism, but that didn't seem to mean anything to the cop.
"Once the officer is informed he has autism, he does not get off him," said Danielle Leibel.
After the incident Danielle, filed a citizen's complaint with the police department for how Grossman handled the situation.
"The family is asking for three things to help seek justice for Connor: first, a personal apology from the officer; second, that the officer perform community service with the autistic community; and third, that Buckeye institute a mandatory training program to prevent an incident like this from ever happening again," according to the family's statement.
Grossman is a top DUI officer and drug recognition expert who trains other officers from around the state.
He was cleared of using unreasonable force and deemed to have enough suspicion to detain the boy.
"I'm every emotion I can think of. That's my baby who was manhandled like that," Leibel said. "I do see that would be reasonable to approach him if he saw him putting something to his face....But after he showed him what he had, that should have diffused the situation. It should end there."
This situation was a first for the family.
"I've never, in his 14 years, had an issue or have anybody suspect he was on drugs," Leibel said.
Source: ABC