Outrage erupts as child faces trauma following controversial arrest over commonplace act

The mother of a 10-year-old boy, Quantavious Eason, who was detained after urinating in public, is pursuing legal action against the city and local law enforcement, seeking $2 million in damages.

In a troubling incident that unfolded in August 2023, young Quantavious found himself in police custody for relieving himself beside his mother’s vehicle while awaiting her return from an attorney’s office. Despite his tender age and the innocuous nature of his action, the situation quickly escalated, leading to his arrest and confinement in a jail cell for up to an hour.

According to the family’s attorney, Carlos Moore, Quantavious, who is African American, was charged in youth court with being a child in need of supervision and subsequently sentenced to probation, along with the unusual requirement to pen a two-page report about Kobe Bryant.

Addressing the media, Moore asserted that racial bias likely played a significant role in the treatment meted out to Quantavious, highlighting the stark contrast in how a white child might have been treated under similar circumstances.

Expressing anguish over the ordeal endured by Quantavious and his mother, Latonya Eason, Moore decried the lack of public restroom facilities at the attorney’s office and emphasized that Quantavious had not exposed himself but merely responded to a basic bodily need.

In a bid for justice, Latonya has initiated legal proceedings against the city of Senatobia, its police chief Richard Chandler, and several officers involved in the incident. The lawsuit alleges a litany of charges including excessive force, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false arrest, and malicious prosecution.

In response to public outcry, the Senatobia Police Department issued a statement acknowledging the inappropriate conduct of the officers involved, with assurances of disciplinary action and enhanced training protocols.

Latonya’s lawsuit seeks accountability and redress for the trauma inflicted upon her child, highlighting the need for systemic change in law enforcement practices.