The Story And Lawsuit Behind the 10-Year-Old Arrested for Peeing

Jail time for peeing in public isn’t a charge many expect to hear, especially for a minor who needs the bathroom. However, this was the reality for Quantavious Eason, a black ten-year-old who got arrested and put in jail for urinating in public.

His mother and the public were enraged by the situation, calling the arrest racist and demanding compensation. The mother filed a $2 million lawsuit, and the Senatobia police have already taken action.

This article will explore further developments in this case and reveal all you need to know about the ten-year-old arrested for urinating. Read on!

The Arrest Of Quantavious Eason

The situation began on August 10th when Eason waited in the car while his mom, Latonya Eason, ran an errand. After a while, he needed to use the bathroom, but  Latonya was nowhere in sight, so he went behind her car to empty his bladder.

While relieving himself, an officer with the Senatobia Police Department noticed him and called Latonya to give both a warning. However, the situation quickly escalated when other officers arrived and decided the boy needed a youth court referral.

Therefore, Quantavious Eason was put in a police cruiser, taken to the police station, and then dropped straight into jail. 

The Lawsuit Against The Senatobia Police Department

The situation outrages Eason as she felt her son was unlawfully arrested and put in jail for merely urinating. So, she filed a lawsuit against the police department, accusing the officers involved of negligence, excessive force, and false arrest and imprisonment.

The lawsuit also claims the cops violated the child’s 14th Amendment rights, inflicting emotional distress, failed to train and supervise, and more. Eason expressed her anger in the lawsuit, saying that her child was “held and arrested in a confined jail cell like a regular criminal” for nearly an hour, causing “immense damages.” 

The Police Department Agrees With Eason After An Investigation

It’s customary for police departments to launch an internal investigation after receiving a complaint about their officers. The same applied to this case as they launched an internal investigation on the unlawful arrest of Quantavious Eason.

The result of the investigation led the department to side with Eason, concluding that the officer acted irrationally. In a statement, the chief of the Senatobia Police Department, Richard Chandler, said: 

“The officer’s decisions violated our written policy and went against our prior training on how to deal with these situations.”

Richard Chandler further explained that it’s legal for officers to file a referral against a 10-year-old. However, this case has to be identical to an adult under the same circumstances. Eason’s case didn’t qualify, making the arrest unlawful.

The Penalty For Urinating In Public

It’s worth noting that urinating in public is illegal in the US; however, it’s a very minor crime that’s rarely considered. If the case makes it to court, it’s usually dismissed, or the offender is given a fine of up to $500.

Note that the court only issues a penalty if the offender exposes their private part or anus excessively. Offenders may also receive a stronger penalty if they’re repeat offenders of urinating in public.

In this case, Quantavious doesn’t meet either criteria to receive a fine or an hour in jail. His mother explained in the lawsuit that he was covered and discreetly urinated behind her car, away from public eyes.

Therefore, Quantavious and his family may deserve compensation.

Eason Demands $2 Million In Compensation

Latonya Eason and her legal teams demand $2 Million In compensation for the mental damage the police department caused her child. She explains, “He gets to the point where he sees police officers, and he just starts shaking. He’s frightened.” 

The damage Latonya mentions is consistent with current research on children put in jail. According to studies, Incarcerating children causes increased trauma, anxiety, depression, and even suicide.

Even if Eason spent only an hour in jail and without handcuff, the trauma of being confronted by the police, taken to the station, and put in jail is severe. Experts agree that a ten-year-old mind cannot handle such a complex situation, which could affect him for the rest of his life.

The Officer Lost His Job

Richard Chandler sincerely apologized to Quantavious, his mother, and the public. The police chief described the officers’ conduct as an “error in judgment,” which the department will not tolerate.

So, the arresting officer has been relieved of his duties (like urine) and no longer works with the department. As for the other officers involved in the unlawful arrest, Chandler promised they received discipline and would act more rationally henceforth.

The police chief further assured the public, saying: “We are dedicated to continually improving and learning from our mistakes.” 

‘Race Was A Factor In This Arrest’ – Carlos Moore

The family’s attorney, Carlos Moore, discussed the interesting lawsuit at a news conference. He accused the officers of being racist against a black child, considering the extent of their “unreasonable” actions.

Moore explains in a phone call: “I’m 99.99 percent sure that had this been a young boy who happened to be white … he would have never been arrested.” He concludes that Quantavious and his mother have suffered like no other for doing something natural and without exposure.

Conclusion – Justice Will Prevail

Many news outlets and social media platforms express the same irritation against the officers who arrested Quantavious. They claim the situation was racially motivated and shows how much reform the police department needs.

Nevertheless, the ten-year-old and his mother are receiving justice as the officer responsible for the unlawful arrest was terminated from his job. At the same time, the other officers were disciplined, and an apology was issued from the chief of police.

However, an apology may not be enough as Eason’s lawsuit demands a compensation of $2 Million. For now, there’s no news of a trial date; nevertheless, it may happen based on the vitality of the case.