SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A recent video showing an 11-year-old girl in tears while handcuffed on a snowy sidewalk has sparked public outcry against the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office. In response, the agency has updated its procedures for detaining minors during criminal investigations.
The incident occurred when deputies were searching for a girl believed to be in a stolen vehicle. They stopped the young Black girl, who matched the description and was located six blocks from the scene. She was handcuffed for approximately seven minutes before authorities determined she was not the suspect they were seeking, according to the sheriff’s department.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, the police explained, “Upon detainment, deputies diligently tried to quickly compare the juvenile with video evidence obtained via dashcam.” They concluded that the girl in custody was not the suspect and released her immediately.
Footage recorded by a bystander shows the 11-year-old, dressed in a pink jacket, with her hands cuffed behind her back as two officers handle the situation. Friends of the girl are seen trying to inform the deputies of the mistake, while the girl appears distraught as she is let go.
The incident has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates. A senior organizer from the New York Civil Liberties Union condemned the act of handcuffing “a scared child,” voicing concerns about systemic racial bias. Victoria Coit remarked, “This mistreatment raises serious concerns about implicit racial bias, which too often leads law enforcement officers to perceive children of color as a threat.”
In light of the incident, Sheriff Toby Shelley took the opportunity to hear from the girl’s mother. He acknowledged her concerns and confirmed that the department will now adopt a policy requiring a parent or guardian to be notified at the time of a juvenile’s detainment for criminal investigations—previously, contact was made only after an arrest had taken place.
The sheriff’s office maintained that handcuffing detainees, including minors, is a standard practice designed to prevent flight, altercations, or the destruction of evidence. This situation has intensified the focus on police tactics regarding young people and the implications of their methods in high-stress scenarios.
