Chelsea A. Ruiz, 25, of Fort Drum, and her 5-year-old son, Connor C. Ruiz. (NORM JOHNSTON / WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES)
PHILADELPHIA, N.Y. — State police are defending the actions of two troopers who handcuffed and shackled the legs of an unruly 5-year-old special-needs student at a primary school in northern New York.
State police spokesman Jack Keller says the boy was screaming, kicking, punching and biting and had to be subdued Wednesday because his behavior allegedly posed a risk to himself and those around him.
School officials tell the Watertown Daily Times that staff members trained in nonviolent crisis intervention tried for two hours before a teacher finally restrained the boy until troopers arrived.
The boy was taken to a hospital to be evaluated.
The boy’s parents, Chelsea and Ryan Ruiz, say their son is emotionally traumatized now and afraid to return to school. They say they plan to file a lawsuit against the school district.