A lawsuit filed in Georgia this month alleges that after an Albany Police officer said he didn't like the tone of a woman's voice, he slammed her to the ground, and the woman, who was pregnant, miscarried. According to the lawsuit, this occurred in 2011.
Kenya Harris was at the station because her minor son was arrested. After spending five hours at the police station, Harris said she asked to be allowed to leave to take care of her other children. After being slammed to the ground, and arrested on obstruction of justice charges, Harris said she learned that she had miscarried after making bail and seeking the proper medical attention that was not provided to her.
From Courthouse News:
"Defendant Officer Jenkins stated that he did not appreciate the tone in which she was communicating with him, and further stated that if she continued he would take her head and 'put it to the floor,'" the complaint states.
Harris says when she again tried to explain that she needed to leave, Jenkins followed through on his threat.
"Defendant Officer Jenkins, without provocation, grabbed plaintiff, who weighs less than one hundred twenty (120) pounds, by her neck and slammed her to the ground. Plaintiff momentarily blacked out and came to with defendant Officer Jenkins sitting on her back, and with his knee on her arm. Plaintiff was pregnant at the time."
Harris now requests $50,000 and punitive damages, arguing that the officer used excessive force. It is unknown what stage of pregnancy Harris was in. According to the Daily Mail, Harris was also treated for a knee contusion, neck spasms, muscle pain and bruising to her body, one day after the incident.
[Via Daily Mail]
