SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A deeply troubling incident involving an 11-year-old girl crying while handcuffed on a snowy sidewalk has sparked widespread criticism of an upstate New York sheriff’s office. In response, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office has revised its policy for detaining minors during criminal investigations.
The deputies were searching for a girl associated with a stolen vehicle in Syracuse when they apprehended the 11-year-old Black girl, who was dressed similarly to the suspect and located six blocks away. She was handcuffed for approximately seven minutes before authorities confirmed she was not the individual they were seeking.
In an official statement, the sheriff’s office explained, “Upon detainment, deputies diligently tried to quickly compare the juvenile with video evidence obtained via dashcam. It was clear that the detained juvenile was not the suspect we were seeking, and she was immediately released.”
Footage captured by a bystander shows the girl standing in a pink jacket, handcuffed and sobbing, while her friends attempt to convince the deputies of their mistake. The emotional scene unfolded as the girl was finally let go.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism, with a representative from the New York Civil Liberties Union denouncing the decision to handcuff “a scared child.” The NYCLU emphasized the serious implications of implicit racial bias, which can unfairly label children of color as threats.
Sheriff Toby Shelley has since met with the girl’s mother to address the concerns raised. He announced that the department will implement a new policy to notify a parent or guardian when juveniles are detained, enhancing communication since parents were previously informed only after an arrest.
The sheriff’s office maintains that handcuffing detainees, including minors, is a standard practice to prevent the possibility of fleeing, fighting, or tampering with evidence.
