The mother of a 7-year-old student with disabilities has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that a school resource officer at a Memphis elementary school used excessive force during a classroom incident, leaving her son injured and traumatized.
Cetera Jones filed the lawsuit on November 21 in U.S. District Court on behalf of her son, identified as L.J., according to court records obtained by Atlanta Black Star.
The complaint stems from a November 24, 2024, incident at Levi Elementary School, where L.J. experienced a behavioral outburst related to his disability.
According to the lawsuit, an unnamed school resource officer threw the child into a bookcase, slammed him to the ground, and handcuffed him with metal restraints — actions the suit says violated federal civil rights laws and Tennessee education regulations.
Attorneys argue L.J. posed no imminent threat and that de-escalation techniques appropriate for a disabled second grader were not used. The suit further claims the child was placed in a school resource vehicle and driven home while handcuffed.
Jones says she heard her son screaming and later discovered he had a black eye that was not present earlier that day. She called 911, and Memphis police responded.
The lawsuit accuses Memphis-Shelby County Schools of failing to properly train and supervise staff and officers working with students with disabilities. It seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as court-ordered changes limiting the use of physical restraints and requiring additional training.
A spokesperson for MSCS said, per ABS, the district is aware of the lawsuit but declined further comment.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office disputes its inclusion in the case, saying it had no officers assigned to the school at the time and is seeking dismissal. Plaintiffs have also requested expedited discovery to identify the officer involved and preserve records related to the incident.
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