School defends handcuffing 7-year-old boy with special needs after 'emotional meltdown'

The boy was taken to a mental health facility in a police car, according to his mother

The boy was taken out of his classroom after having "an emotional meltdown" (The Associated Press)

The mother of a seven-year-old boy in Florida has criticised school officials after they handcuffed her son last Wednesday following an emotional meltdown.

The child, who has special needs was then taken to a mental health facility, which the mother is criticising, but school officials are defending.

Tyeisha Harmon of Clearwater told reporters on Monday that her son needs a structured environment, but was recently moved into a different classroom, which she thinks might have caused the incident.

Ms Harmon was phoned by the school, but by the time she was able to get there, her son had been taken to the mental health facility.

The boy told her that he had been taken to the facility in a police car and showed his mother the marks on his wrists caused by the handcuffs.

Ms Harmon told WFTS-TV: “To handcuff him and put him in the backseat -- not only did you handcuff him but you did it so tightly that it left marks on his hands and he’s 7. What’s he going to do? He’s 7 and in the backseat,”

“It’s very serious because nobody’s kids should have to go through that,” she said.

Officials at Pinellas County school issued a statement defending the officer’s actions, saying Harmon’s son was acting in a way “that could have hurt the student or others. “

“Please know that restraint of students is only used as a last resort when other interventions have not resolved the issue. The safety, health and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority.” Said the statement.

It’s the second time in weeks that Florida school officials have been criticised for restraining a young child, having done the same to a six-year-old in a different school last month.

Last week, the Florida House passed a measure that would require police agencies to regulate arrests of anyone under 10, that is now waiting action by the senate.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.