The deputy tackled a teenage quadruple amputee at a Tucson group home after the boy reportedly became angry over a suspension and kicked over a trash can.
A deputy who restrained a 15-year-old amputee at a group home in Tucson last fall will not face charges.
According to 12 News, the Pima County Attorney’s Office said in a letter that it could not prove beyond reasonable doubt that Deputy Manuel Van Santen’s use of force was unnecessary.
Deputy Van Santen was called to the group home Sept. 26 after the boy allegedly became upset over being suspended and kicked over a trash can.
Van Santen reportedly decided the boy needed to be arrested for disorderly conduct and attempted to detain him. A cellphone video taken by another teen in the home shows Van Santen putting the shirtless boy in a headlock and tackling him to the ground. He also yells and curses in the boy’s face.
KOLD first published the video in November. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office placed Van Santen on leave shortly afterward and began a criminal investigation into his conduct. The Sheriff’s Office reported its findings to the County Attorney’s Office, which ultimately decided not to pursue charges.
Van Santen has maintained he did nothing wrong.
“I can look my wife and my children in the face tonight and know that I did my job to the best of my ability. I look forward to clearing my name and returning to duty,” he said in a statement to The Associated Press about a week after the video went public.
Van Santen also arrested the teen who was filming for disorderly conduct, but charges against both boys were later dropped.
Politics
Democrats successfully force vote on repealing 1864 abortion ban, passes House
The Arizona legislature moved forward two bills Wednesday that would repeal the state’s 1864 abortion ban. A bill to repeal the ban has been...
State Official: 1864 abortion ban gives Arizona ‘black eye’
Arizona’s role at the forefront of the climate crisis, defending democratic elections, and protecting reproductive rights has caught the attention...
Local News
Arizona Sens. Anthony Kern, Jake Hoffman, indicted for fake election scheme
Eighteen individuals involved in a conspiracy to overturn Arizona’s election results in 2020 were indicted by a grand jury Wednesday and charged...
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to let Arizona doctors provide abortions in California
California law generally allows abortion up to the point of fetal viability, which is around 24 weeks. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Arizona doctors...