Family Files Lawsuit After Deputy Fires Stun Gun At Teen
ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The mother of a teen with behavioral problems has filed a lawsuit after Adams County Sheriff's deputies responded to a disturbance at her home and used a stun gun on the 17-year-old.
Debra Nesdore told CBS4 on Sunday that the force was unnecessary, and said her family waited two years to file a lawsuit because it takes her son a long time to make decisions.
"It was more of an unnecessary one because they didn't warn me. They didn't do anything first. They just came up and tased me," said Devin, who is 19 now.
The incident happened after Devin had what Debra called a meltdown and Debra had called 911 asking for a deputy with crisis intervention training. It's something Debra said she had to do several times prior to the incident in question.
After a female deputy arrived and came in the home, one of Devin's brothers held him down while Debra tried to explain what was going on.
"The next thing you know she said 'Step out of the way' -- and I had asked her not to -- and she tased the kids that were on the floor," Debra told CBS4.
Debra said both sons were hit, and that she instantly had concerns because Devin has a seizure disorder.
"It is one of those worst nightmares come true. I have not felt comfortable calling them for any reason since that," Debra said.
Devin's description of getting hit by the stun gun was that "it was not a pretty picture."
"I don't have pretty thoughts in my head about it," he said.
The family said the incident has undone years of work for Devin.
"A lot that we were doing to get him comfortable with police officers and authority figures seems to be undone," Debra said.
Devin told CBS4 his decision to agree to go forward with the lawsuit came down to accountability.
"Every action has a consequence, even for authorities. They think they can just get away with it and not have any consequences for their actions. Well, they are wrong," Devin said.
The Nesdores are hoping the suit leads to more training for officers, particularly when it comes to crisis intervention training.
So far the Adams County Sheriff's Office has not replied to CBS4's request for comments on the lawsuit.
