www.newsandletters.org
|
|
NEWS & LETTERS, July 2002
10-year-old detained for nothing
Chicago—On Friday May 10 at approximately 5:15 p.m. my
son Milton Melvin Rodgers, a minor, ten years of age, was standing at the corner
from our place of residence, across the street from his baby-sitter's house
(Mrs. Caldwell) waiting for the van, to go to church activities. She pointed to
Milton and falsely accused him of trespassing. Then the story changed to Milton
trying to break into her backyard to play basketball. The police, Officer
Mendoza, stepped out of the car, grabbed Milton by his arm and threw him into
the police vehicle. Mrs. Caldwell phoned my house and told me to hurry and
get outside. I approached Officer Mendoza to inform him that I was Milton's
mother. I told him that Milton had just walked out of our house. Officer Mendoza
was in a rage, yelling and screaming at me and he stated, "You are a liar.
I just got him from 54th out of the lady's yard. You don't know nothing, you are
a stupid mother." I then asked Officer Mendoza, "Where are you taking
my son? I also told him that Milton is only ten years old. Officer Mendoza, in a
rage, yelling and screaming stated to me, "You are a dumb mother, you don't
know nothing." The other officers had their hands on their guns as if they
wanted to shoot me. The police left with Milton and took him to the unknown
woman's house, where she was dropped off. I had to take a bus to the 29th and
Prairie police station, because the police would not allow me to go with them. Milton was then handcuffed when he was removed from the
vehicle. Milton stated that the policemen told him, "You better say you did
it, or else you will never see your mother again and we are going to get her
too." I repeatedly stated to the officers at the police
station that Milton was only ten years old. Milton and I were then taken to 51st
and Wentworth police station. A female officer told me that I would not be able
to get my son and that he would be sent to the Juvenile Center if I did not sign
for him to have counseling. I asked her what it was that they were accusing my
son of doing? She then stated to me that she did not know and that I must sign
this form for him to take counseling. I then told the female officer that I was
going to go and call my lawyer. She quickly stated that I could sign for Milton
to go to Court and that he would be released. Milton and I went to Juvenile Division Court on May 31,
2002. Upon arrival at Court, a Black unknown man came over to Milton and me and
informed us that the case had been dismissed and that we should leave right
away. I stated to him that I wanted to see the Judge. The man stated to me that
he never heard of the Court just letting someone go without seeing the Judge. He
stated that it was best for us to leave. I was not given any paperwork informing
me as to what the Judge's decision was or anything. To this day, I have no idea
of what is held in judicial files regarding the arrest of my son. No one has
ever given me a clear story of what has happened to Milton's juvenile records
and as to why Milton was falsely accused in the first place. —Joanne Reed |
|
Home l News & Letters Newspaper l Back issues l News and Letters Committees l Dialogues l Raya Dunayevskaya l Contact us l Search Published by News and Letters Committees |
