The Brief A15-year-old boy is recovering after his elbow was fractured during a police encounter. Officers with the Melbourne Police Department were looking for a missing child when the incident occurred. The department reported that the officer's alleged actions are being investigated.



A local mother is demanding answers and an overhaul of police training after her 15-year-old son was allegedly assaulted by Melbourne police officers who mistook him for a missing child.

The incident, which was captured on body camera video, left the teenager with a fractured elbow and deep emotional trauma. The Melbourne Police Department is currently reviewing the case.

What we know:

Melbourne Police Department officers were actively searching for a runaway teenager struggling with mental health issues when Judah, 15, was taken down by officers.

According to Judah's family's attorney, Judah was helping the missing child's mother search for her child when officers approached him.

The family's civil rights lawyer, Dan Faherty, said responding officers even interacted with Judah just minutes before the takedown.

A 15-year-old was allegedly assaulted by Melbourne Police officers. (Source: Dan Faherty)

Body camera footage shows police takedown

Body camera footage FOX 35 obtained from Faherty shows an officer cursing and then taking Judah to the ground.

 Get on the f-ing ground. Get on the ground. I will f-ing tase you,  an officer can be heard shouting on the footage.

Despite complying with the orders, Judah was tackled to the ground and handcuffed.

According to Faherty, Judah was completely compliant during the interaction.

 He completely complied,  Faherty said.  He fell down on his knees, arms in the air, clearly unarmed. Nobody asked him a question. They just threatened to tase him. 

Moments after the takedown, the footage shows the officers realizing they had the wrong person.

 Are you [the missing child]? No, you're not [the missing child],  asked an officer.

 I don't know what's going on,  Judah responds in the bodycam recording.

 Absolutely horrific': Judah's mom responds

Angela Sp

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