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OC Deputy Tasers Missing Autistic Teen
Parents Believe Deputies Overreacted
By Eileen Frere
TUSTIN, Sept. 19, 2007 (KABC-TV) - An autistic teenager who ran away from home dashed in and out of traffic during his 10 hours on the lam and was eventually subdued by an Orange County deputy with a stun gun.
Taylor Karras, an autistic 15-year-old, walked down the street near his home in North Tustin next to the spot where Orange County Sheriff's deputies Tasered him.
"I gave up by doing this [hands behind his head], and then they Tasered me and I laid down, I got down. I was on the ground and they Tasered me again," said Karras.
His face and arms were smothered with white ointment to treat the sunburn he suffered after walking 15 miles from Westminster, where his mother says he ran away from a therapy session Monday. Authorities say they received a report of a man acting suspiciously in the area.
When deputies arrived: "The deputy got out to talk to the subject. He immediately started yelling. The deputy did not understand what he said and darted into traffic. He gave chase. There were a couple of cars that had to swerve to avoid contact. After several demands to stop, fearing for his safety that he may get hit by a vehicle, the deputy deployed the Taser," said Jim Amormino, Orange County Sheriff's Dept. spokesman.
"He put his hands behind his back and stopped. Then they Tasered him -- after he stopped. Then he fell down, they Tasered him again," said Doris Karras, Taylor's mother
Authorities say they released a second jolt of electricity into Taylor after he repeatedly refused to remove his hands from his chest. Authorities say they feared he had a weapon.
"I am very upset and frustrated about this being done to Taylor," said Doris Karras.
Taylor's mother said they filed a missing persons report and authorities should have known Taylor was a missing child.
"The subject is 15, but he's 5-foot-10 with a full beard. He does not appear to be a minor," said Amormino.
His parents say they believe authorities overreacted and Taylor would not have run from them if deputies had not pulled up with sirens and lights blaring. They could have avoided using a Taser on their son if they only stopped to talk with him first to realize he's autistic.
Authorities say they had only seconds to react before he ran away from them.
End------------------------------
At least the kid didn't die, like the lady in the wheelchair.
Link (lower left of home page)
Parents Believe Deputies Overreacted
By Eileen Frere
TUSTIN, Sept. 19, 2007 (KABC-TV) - An autistic teenager who ran away from home dashed in and out of traffic during his 10 hours on the lam and was eventually subdued by an Orange County deputy with a stun gun.
Taylor Karras, an autistic 15-year-old, walked down the street near his home in North Tustin next to the spot where Orange County Sheriff's deputies Tasered him.
"I gave up by doing this [hands behind his head], and then they Tasered me and I laid down, I got down. I was on the ground and they Tasered me again," said Karras.
His face and arms were smothered with white ointment to treat the sunburn he suffered after walking 15 miles from Westminster, where his mother says he ran away from a therapy session Monday. Authorities say they received a report of a man acting suspiciously in the area.
When deputies arrived: "The deputy got out to talk to the subject. He immediately started yelling. The deputy did not understand what he said and darted into traffic. He gave chase. There were a couple of cars that had to swerve to avoid contact. After several demands to stop, fearing for his safety that he may get hit by a vehicle, the deputy deployed the Taser," said Jim Amormino, Orange County Sheriff's Dept. spokesman.
"He put his hands behind his back and stopped. Then they Tasered him -- after he stopped. Then he fell down, they Tasered him again," said Doris Karras, Taylor's mother
Authorities say they released a second jolt of electricity into Taylor after he repeatedly refused to remove his hands from his chest. Authorities say they feared he had a weapon.
"I am very upset and frustrated about this being done to Taylor," said Doris Karras.
Taylor's mother said they filed a missing persons report and authorities should have known Taylor was a missing child.
"The subject is 15, but he's 5-foot-10 with a full beard. He does not appear to be a minor," said Amormino.
His parents say they believe authorities overreacted and Taylor would not have run from them if deputies had not pulled up with sirens and lights blaring. They could have avoided using a Taser on their son if they only stopped to talk with him first to realize he's autistic.
Authorities say they had only seconds to react before he ran away from them.
End------------------------------
At least the kid didn't die, like the lady in the wheelchair.
Link (lower left of home page)
