Family speaks out after police detain 12-year-old while taking out trash | GMA

Tashawn Bernard, 12, speaks out for the first time after being handcuffed and detained by Lansing, Michigan, police in what authorities are calling a case of mistaken identity.

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[berglettemom]

That child wasn’t in the wrong place, wrong time. He was exactly where he was supposed to be, doing exactly what his father asked him to do. He was entirely blameless. Using that phrase of “wrong place wrong time” makes it sound like he did something wrong. He did not. At all.

[grimalsapiens]

Wearing the same clothes doesn't change the fact that they were looking for an adult and they handcuffed a 12-year-old taking out the trash.

[orchidhealth]

The child is so well spoken and seems very well behaved. Kudos to the father to bringing up such a great kid. I wish him the very best future in all his endeavors.

[digitalurbanstyle]

When I was 9 years old in 1987, two white, female cops stopped me and my brother after we left a 7-11. My brother was 13. We bought chips and two cans of soda. The officers asked were our items stolen, handcuffed us and made us sit on the curb while they “figured out” what was going on. They took our names and asked our address and said we looked like we were “up to no good”, because of course we did….We were two Black boys, who to them probably looked like hardened gangbangers in their early 20’s. Because that’s how they see us. We can’t even be children. That was my first interaction with the police. They were mean and nasty for no reason. I couldn’t understand why they were so angry towards us. A far cry from the “friendly police officer” they have come to your school to talk about the dangers of drugs and whatnot. I’m 45 and I still remember those wicked bigoted cops, who harassed me and brother as kids walking home.

[JesseMartinez-cmtl]

They literally are telling the community to forget about the whole thing and let them keep doing whatever they want. Absolutely disgusting.

[Eanaj]

The fact that they didn’t call them to privately apologize tells me everything I need to know.

[dimplesone]

Baby boy literally looks “shook”… so well spoken!

[janineweathersby]

This is SO UNACCEPTABLE!!!
I hope the family files a lawsuit. This child will never forget that, ever.

[jhemmingway]

Mistaken identity is the lamest excuse when placing a 12 year old boy in cuffs

[LaZainabou]

The AUDACITY to say " wrong place, wrong time" ...A child in the place he lives, doing what his father asked.

[thenadine]

Racial profiling & stereotypes judgment 😳😡. PERIOD! Hopefully the little boy will be able to function mentally and physically after this ordeal and with professional help. Prayers for the family 🙏🏽

[renbur]

This makes me cry. Literally! How dare they???!!! The police behavior is so disgusting. So sorry, Tashawn. I pray this disturbing incident does not consume his life. Amen.

[patriciawebb]

For the Lansing police to say, "wrong place, wrong time" is an absolute insult to the victim and to the citizenry. They are deflecting their bad, unprofessional, racial profiling behavior and blaming this young man who was in the RIGHT PLACE at the RIGHT TIME!!! He had every right to expect to be safe in his own community.
These cops need to be fired, not excused. Don't dismiss this behavior LPD!

[KperkIns]

I’m 63 and I remember being stopped by cops when getting my gran mothers purse out of her car when I was 12 years old. He will never forget it.

[mikeswanson]

The only way out is too hold a press conference and the mayor, police chief and the entire police dept apologizes one at a time to the boy and his Dad .

[Ojdahprnce]

That’s traumatic. I remember being cuffed for not signaling right away and smelling of weed although I had none in the car. I pray the boy and his family gets justice and the officers never get hired for work again.

[rhonda]

It's sad when a kid can't do a simple chore by taking the trash out ! This should have NEVER happened to this young boy !

[thefranchise]

You can’t tell a 12-year-old from a grown ass man?

[martybob]

Prayers for this beautiful human being. May he hold his head up and keep making his parents proud. I’m 67 and even today.. hearing these stories is heartbreaking. Our sons/brothers of color have been and will continue to be treated or seen differently in others eyes.

[marybrown]

Just Horrible for that child..great he kept calm and the father did come out to see where he was..and awesome someone was recording it..this could have been another tragic story..Thank God it didn't end up that way..I Pray that child has not been changed forever...Bless his heart 12 yrs old...omg...