Mississippi mother files $2m lawsuit after son, 10, was arrested for public urination

A Mississippi mother has filed a $2million lawsuit after her 10-year-old son was cuffed and led away to jail by four police officers for peeing in public after he was unable to find a public restroom.

LaTonya Eason filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday after her third-grader son Quantavious Eason was arrested in August by the Senatobia Police Department.

After the boy's arrest, Senatobia Police Chief, Richard Chandler, admitted to the wrongdoing and said that there was an 'error in judgement' for them to 'transport the child to the police station since the boy's mother was present.'

In a separate statement they said 'the officer's decisions violated their written policy and went against their prior training on how to deal with these situations,' and one unnamed officers was fired after the incident, WMC-Gray News reported. 

Despite the police department's apology, the mother is seeking a payout for the excessive use of force, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Others named in the suit include Senatobia Police Chief, Richard Chandler, Lieutenant Zachary Jenkins and four other officers with the department.  

Quantavious Eason, 10, was arrested in August by the Senatobia Police Department for urinating in public. He is pictured in the back of the police vehicle 

LaTonya Eason (right) pictured with her son Quantavious Eason, 10, and her attorney Carlos Moore (left)

Senatobia Police Chief, Richard Chandler, admitted to the wrongdoing and said that there was an 'error in judgement' for them to 'transport the child to the police station since the boy's mother was present' 

The police chief stated that 'mistakes like this are a reminder in this profession of the continual need for training.' Police said the boy was not handcuffed. 

When the incident took place, the boy's mother was at a meeting at her lawyers office at the Tate County Courthouse. The boy relieved himself near her car.

According to LaTonya, one of the officers who spotted her son urinating went to find her.

LaTonya Eason said that when she found out, she chastised her son, and thought the situation was over. But four more officers suddenly showed up at the scene. 

Her son was arrested, put in a police cruiser, and taken to jail. He was put in a cell for about an hour, LaTonya said.

Once released, the judge ordered that the child has to check in with a probation officer once a month for three months.

The boy was also ordered to write a two-page report on late NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

But the family's lawyer Carlos Moore refused to sign the probation agreement, and planned to fight for the case to be dismissed.  He claimed the boy was being treated 'like a criminal.'

He also argued that the two-page book report was 'unjust and inappropriate,' for a child of such a young age.

Moore further stated that 'they have to pay this family for what they did.'

'This boy is still emotionally traumatized. He is receiving counseling. His mother has been through a lot. So, we're here for justice.'

Eason's lawyer Carlos Moore has revealed they are rejecting the probation agreement and plan to fight for the case to be dismissed

Moore previously expressed his shock that prosecutors pursued the case and claimed the child's race played a role in the judge's decision.

The lawyer added he was prepared to request a trial to protect the rights of his client. 

'He would not have been arrested, prosecuted or sentenced if he was any other color, race, besides Black,' Moore told NBC during an interview when the incident first too place. 

'He will not have a criminal record, this is probation. And he is a fan of Kobe Bryant, so he doesn't mind writing the two-page report.

'But, still, the principle of it - he should not have to do anything. He should be enjoying his Christmas holiday like the other kids.'

The third grader's mom said the officer went inside the business to look for her to inform her of the incident - but told her he would let the boy off with a warning.

On December 12, a judge ordered that Eason has to check in with a probation officer once a month for three months and write a two-page report on late NBA legend Kobe Bryant 

She claims the unidentified cop had a change of heart when other officers arrived at the scene and a furious lieutenant demanded he be taken to the station for being left unattended.

A Senatobia police officer was fired and another disciplined after the story emerged.

Moore said the boy did what anyone would do, as there were signs that said no public restrooms were available.

LaTonya told NBC her son is now scared of the police following the ordeal.