From the Associated Press:
Officers raiding a Georgia home in search of a drug suspect used a flash grenade not knowing children were inside, severely burning a toddler who was sleeping just inside the door, authorities and the boy’s family said.
Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell said the officers were looking for a suspect who may have been armed and followed proper procedure by using the device, which creates a bright flash and loud bang to distract suspects
“It’s a tragic incident,” Terrell said. “The baby didn’t deserve this.”
Alecia Phonesavanh told local media her son was sleeping in his playpen when the raid began Wednesday morning.
“The cops threw that grenade in the door without looking first, and it landed right in the playpen and exploded on his pillow right in his face,” Phonesavanh told WSB-TV.
No one thinks the police set out to hurt this child. But were the tactics sloppy, reckless, and unnecessary? Yes.
These raids and injuries are more common than many realize. Check out the Cato raid map.
Source Article from http://feeds.cato.org/~r/Policemisconductnet/~3/FemxS75yd4Q/
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