Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Florida Mom Outraged After Police Detain Her 12-Year-Old Son For 'Riding His Own Bicycle'

Florida Mom Outraged After Police Detain Her 12-Year-Old Son For 'Riding His Own Bicycle'
@WESH 2 News/YouTube

Police in Apopka, Florida wrongfully detained a Black 12-year-old boy for allegedly stealing a bicycle and his mother is furious.

The recorded footage showed police pulling the child away from a large crowd, his hands in handcuffs by the time he reached the patrol car.


The boy's arrest was captured on video by a bystander and shared by NBC affiliate WESH 2 News.

youtu.be

The bystander recording the video called out to the police from behind her phone.

"He's scared! He's scared, he's scared, that little boy's scared."

The boy, later identified as Jamir Bradford, was identified as a member of a group who stole a bicycle.

However, after checking the serial numbers on the bicycle Bradford was riding, it was eventually confirmed the bicycle belonged to Bradford, and was not the stolen bicycle.

Bradford was later released back to his mother, Melani Brown, but Brown revealed in a press conference her son was "emotionally scarred" by the ordeal.

"He was arrested, handcuffed and charged with robbery and battery for riding his own bicycle."
"He said ‘Mommy, when I seen the officer with his hand on his gun, I wanted to run."
"I said, ‘For what? You did nothing wrong'."

Brown believes there are still outstanding charges pending against her son.

But civil rights activist John Barnett told WESH 2 News he and a local lawyer couldn't find any charges after checking with juvenile court.

"How do charges just disappear?"

Brown complained to the police about how the situation with her son was handled, and is not ready to stop fighting to ensure such an incident never happens again.

"I wasn’t prepared on Feb. 20, but I am today."
"I’m prepared to fight for justice for my son."

Several viewers of WESH 2 News' report on YouTube expressed their support for Brown, agreeing police officers need to be better trained for instances with children.

"Love how it takes a gaggle of armed adults to deal with a child."- Radar O

T"he Popo’s messed up big time in this one. They detained a child before verifying anything… Anyway you look at it it’s Bad policing."-John John

"WTF is wrong with the officers!"- KAE4860

"12 wow treated like an adult this is America truly traumatizing for that young baby."- Jameek Haynie.

"Those cop's are lucky it wasn't my son the cop's don't have any respect for others people kids there is no excuse for how they handle this."- Adam Ocanas.

Other viewers felt this was an example of racial bias, demanding the officers responsible be held accountable.

"So if you are Black you are guilty until proven innocent. And it takes a team of police officers to hold that trial, who at their discretion, can kill you for “not cooperating”. To serve and protect who?"- Gabe Maldonado

"They don’t treat our kids like kids they see a criminal no matter the age."- Bud Defreitas

"Sometimes when u c these kinds of injustices, ya just wanna open up on 'em... But all we can do is beg 4 POLICE REFORM NOW!!!"- Rutheone

"I Hope these racist Cops GET Fired!!!!."- Vir Dom

"This was too much. I am White and I agree that this went too far. The cops need to go through some kind of training for these situations."- GodBless America 76

It is illegal in the state of Florida to arrest a child under six-years-old. However, several Florida lawmakers, including SenatorRandolph Bracy, are fighting to increase the age to 12 and under.

While a police report at the time of the incident showed an officer removed the handcuffs from Bradford after roughly one minute, the Apopka police have otherwise declined to comment on the incident, saying it has been placed under "administrative review."

More from Trending

Screenshot of Todd Friel; Barack Obama
Right Wing Watch/YouTube; Angelina Katsanis - Pool/Getty Images

Rightwing Pastor Blasted After Claiming Obama's Presidential Library Is An 'Intentional Slight To God'

Conservative radio pastor Todd Friel was criticized after denouncing former President Barack Obama's new presidential library as "anti-Christian," saying the building "is a tangible symbol" of Obama’s "horrific... utterly destructive world views."

Friel, the host of Wretched TV, made the remarks ahead of the library's scheduled opening on Juneteenth. Located in Chicago's Park District, the library is the jewel of a 19.3-acre campus that includes the city's first "fully inclusive" playground designed to accommodate children with disabilities.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Josh Hokit; Michelle Obama
Paramount+; Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

UFC Fighter Slammed After Making Disgusting Comment About Michelle Obama During White House Event

UFC star Josh Hokit sparked outrage on Sunday after he claimed former First Lady Michelle Obama is a "man" before a crowd of thousands who attended the White House's UFC 250 event.

Hokit delivered the remarks in front of President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and roughly 4,300 spectators gathered inside a temporary arena.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Troy Nehls; Donald Trump
@Acyn/X; Ken Cedeno/AFP via Getty Images

MAGA Rep's Fawning Remark About 'Very Special Baby' Trump Is Giving Total Cult Vibes

Texas Republican Representative Troy Nehls isn't doing anything to dispel the belief that the MAGA movement is a cult after telling reporters that President Donald Trump was "born a very special baby" while fawning over his presidency.

Nehls sarcastically suggested a fund should be established to compensate critics who have "Trump Derangement Syndrome," adding that they should get "counseling" for being against the Trump administration.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mark-Paul Gosselaar attends the 30th Annual Critics' Choice Awards.
MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images

Mark-Paul Gosselaar Just Showed Off His Ripped Abs In A Crop Top And Tiny Shorts—And The Fan Thirst Is Real

Nobody ever accused Saved by the Bell heartthrob Zach Morris of being shy about his looks—and Mark-Paul Gosselaar appears to be bringing that same confidence to his latest role.

The actor recently turned heads while promoting Bulges, a new comedy series for Canada's Crave network. The workplace comedy follows the eccentric staff of an iconic, once-thriving all-male restaurant in Niagara Falls.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tracy Morgan
Variety/X

Tracy Morgan Hit With Backlash After Explaining Why He 'Can't Stand Teachers'—And Fans Are Sounding Off

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who respect the work teachers do and those who do not. Clearly, actor and comedian Tracy Morgan is in the second group.

While doing an Actors on Actors interview opposite fellow Saturday Night Live comedian, Marcello Hernández, the pair discussed what it might have been like to grow up together, to go to school together, and to share the SNL stage.

Keep ReadingShow less