A Burlington teenager’s parent is suing the city over what they are calling “discriminatory and unconstitutional treatment” by city officials during an interaction between first responders and their child.The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont said Burlington police and paramedics used excessive force and needlessly escalated an incident involving the teen in May 2021. The child, who is Black, was 14 at the time of the incident.The ACLU said that on the day of the incident, the teen’s mother, Cathy Austrian, discovered that her son had stolen several vape pens from a local gas station and called police to have a conversation with him. Austrian told police her son had recently changed his ADHD medication and was exhibiting unusual behavior. She said after informing the officers of her son’s disabilities and medical conditions she had hoped that the interaction with police would be a positive learning opportunity for the teen.The ACLU alleged that despite the teen’s cooperation with the officers, they threatened him with arrest for failing to hand over one of the stolen vape pens. The suit said officers then grabbed the child and forcibly removed the pen from his hands before handcuffing him and pinning him to the floor as the child became more and more distressed.Austrian said paramedics arriving on the scene did not discuss the child’s medical needs with her before placing a so-called “spit hood” over his head and injecting him with ketamine, a powerful anesthetic.The unconscious teen was carried from the home and taken to the hospital before being discharged the following day.Then-acting Police Chief Jon Murad allegedly reviewed a complaint from Austrian but deemed the officers’ actions as an appropriate use of force following a review of the evidence and body cam videos, according to a press release on the lawsuit.”Every parent, regardless of their child’s abilities or race, should be able to call for help without fearing a disastrous outcome,” Austrian said in a statement. “We want Burlington to be held accountable for the harm their officials caused my son. We don’t want other families to have to endure this pain and lasting trauma.”NBC5 has reached out to Burlington Police and the ACLU of Vermont to learn more about the lawsuit. We will have updates this afternoon beginning at 4 p.m.
A Burlington teenager’s parent is suing the city over what they are calling “discriminatory and unconstitutional treatment” by city officials during an interaction between first responders and their child.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont said Burlington police and paramedics used excessive force and needlessly escalated an incident involving the teen in May 2021. The child, who is Black, was 14 at the time of the incident.
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The ACLU said that on the day of the incident, the teen’s mother, Cathy Austrian, discovered that her son had stolen several vape pens from a local gas station and called police to have a conversation with him.
Austrian told police her son had recently changed his ADHD medication and was exhibiting unusual behavior. She said after informing the officers of her son’s disabilities and medical conditions she had hoped that the interaction with police would be a positive learning opportunity for the teen.
The ACLU alleged that despite the teen’s cooperation with the officers, they threatened him with arrest for failing to hand over one of the stolen vape pens. The suit said officers then grabbed the child and forcibly removed the pen from his hands before handcuffing him and pinning him to the floor as the child became more and more distressed.
Austrian said paramedics arriving on the scene did not discuss the child’s medical needs with her before placing a so-called “spit hood” over his head and injecting him with ketamine, a powerful anesthetic.
The unconscious teen was carried from the home and taken to the hospital before being discharged the following day.
Then-acting Police Chief Jon Murad allegedly reviewed a complaint from Austrian but deemed the officers’ actions as an appropriate use of force following a review of the evidence and body cam videos, according to a press release on the lawsuit.
“Every parent, regardless of their child’s abilities or race, should be able to call for help without fearing a disastrous outcome,” Austrian said in a statement. “We want Burlington to be held accountable for the harm their officials caused my son. We don’t want other families to have to endure this pain and lasting trauma.”
NBC5 has reached out to Burlington Police and the ACLU of Vermont to learn more about the lawsuit. We will have updates this afternoon beginning at 4 p.m.
