Maplewood Police Explain Decision To Detain 10-Year-Old, 3 Other Kids

MAPLEWOOD, MN — The Maplewood Police Department has come under criticism after a video that showed children who were handcuffed began circulating on social media.

In a news conference Tuesday, Maplewood Police Lt. Joe Steiner confirmed that two 12-year-olds, a 16-year-old, and a 10-year-old were placed in handcuffs as police investigated shots that were fired at about 9:30 p.m. Monday.

The four kids were first located about 200 yards from where the shots were fired, according to Steiner. The children were detained for about 40 minutes, and were handcuffed for "less than half" of that time, Steiner said.

A video was recorded at the scene by Tiffany Burns and shared on Twitter by Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney who represents the families of Daunte Wright and George Floyd.

Toshira Garraway came to the scene after her 16-year-old son called her for help. According to Garraway, the kids were walking home from McDonald's when they were detained by police. They were held in police squad cars until Garraway demanded their release, she said.

"I got the scariest call any mother can receive — my baby begging for my help," Garraway told the Star Tribune. "They don't understand the damage they cause. I think this is a learning experience. This isn't how you treat people's children."

Garraway is an activist who founded Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence.

Police are still looking for suspects in the shooting. No injuries were reported.