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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
Lawsuit Filed Against Jefferson County Sheriff's Department
The 21 page court document against the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department contains some disturbing statements
"Whether they contain any truth in them or not, you still have to defend them, and that's what we're prepared to do today."
According to the lawsuit-
On July 4th of 2008 Deputies David Bowers and Lonnie Lawler responded to the adolescent center.
And without any provocation Bowers pushed a minor to his bed and tased him in the neck.
He then tased another minor...Jefferson County sheriff Roger Mulch would not speak directly to those claims, but says according to investigations after the incident-
Bowers did nothing wrong.
"The investigation that was completed by department of children and family services and Illinois state police, their findings were that there was no indication of any wrong doing on behalf of our office."
But DCFS Deputy Director of communications Kendall Marlowe says at this point their office is backing the voice of the plaintiffs...
DCFS released a statement saying:
"Our job is to protect the children. Experience across the country has shown that shocking children with tasers can result in serious physical and mental injury. Use of these weapons is especially troubling in cases where the children involved have committed no crime and have not even been charged with wrong doing."
Mulch says his office will do everything to cooperate, and while he hopes it passes smoothly, a case like this is just part of the job.
"The more you operate in the public eye, the more subject you are to lawsuits in today's world, and that's just what you have to be prepared for."
By Andy Waterman
awaterman@wsiltv.com
Now: 1283451899
