A 16-year-old boy with autism faced a troubling encounter with law enforcement after suffering a seizure in a California fast-food restaurant. The incident occurred at an El Pollo Loco in the Fresno area, where David Martinez, the young man in question, experienced a series of epileptic seizures in the restroom. His mother, Maria Sanchez, recounts that they had just left a doctor’s appointment related to his condition and decided to stop for a meal when things took a turn for the worse.
While Maria waited outside the bathroom, she heard her son fall to the ground and quickly sought help. “I tried to open the door, but it was locked,” she explained to a reporter. “I called for assistance, but we were looking for paramedics, not the police. He was in distress, not a threat.”
Instead of emergency medical personnel, officers arrived at the scene and proceeded to handcuff David. Disturbing footage surfaced showing Maria pleading with the officers, insisting, “He has autism, he’s having a seizure, please stop!” Meanwhile, David expressed his distress, repeatedly saying he didn’t want to be in handcuffs.
In what can only be described as an alarming turn of events, David became so agitated that he began to vomit. Despite observing his condition deteriorate, officers failed to remove his restraints and instead left him on the ground, handcuffed. “They saw my son was struggling, yet they chose to keep him restrained instead of helping,” Maria lamented.
After enduring the ordeal, Maria managed to retrieve medical documentation from her car that confirmed her son’s medical issues. This prompted emergency medical services to step in and transport David to the hospital for treatment. Following the incident, the Fresno Police Department released a heavily edited bodycam video and audio from the 9-1-1 call. The family’s plea for compassion and understanding was evident, yet police claimed handcuffing David was necessary to prevent potential harm.
Stephanie Ramirez, founder of the Fresno Autism Network, highlighted the need for better police training when responding to individuals with special needs. “Autism is an invisible disability, and officers often lack the tools to manage such situations appropriately,” she noted. “In these moments, families need support, not additional distress.”
The police department stated that their actions were in line with protocol and are currently under review. David was still recovering in a local hospital at the time of reporting. For further insights into navigating the complexities of special needs, check out this related post here. For those seeking guidance on pregnancy and fertility, this site offers valuable resources, as does womenshealth.gov.
In summary, the incident involving David Martinez underscores the urgent need for enhanced training for law enforcement when dealing with individuals experiencing medical crises, especially those with autism. The family’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and compassion in emergency situations.
Keyphrase: police response autism seizure
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