Md. teen handcuffed on ground during search; mother claims excessive force

LA PLATA, Md. - An outraged parent is demanding answers after Charles County Sheriff's Office deputies handcuffed her son and forced him to the ground in a case of mistaken identity.

Tasha Forbes' 15-year-old son was detained and placed face down Wednesday afternoon just feet away from their La Plata home.

"If Tyivon did something wrong, I would totally understand, I would agree to whatever was going on," said Forbes. "But I know that he did nothing because he was with me."

"I felt like a criminal," said the 15-year-old.

Video shot by Forbes shows Tyivon complying with officers while handcuffed and on the ground. His backpack was searched and no weapons were found.

Yet his mother said he remained face down and handcuffed even after she said he suffers from epilepsy.

"He hasn't had a seizure in about seven or eight months, but his seizures are controlled by medication," his mother said. "But they are also brought on by stress."

In the video, a deputy identifies herself and said, "We got a report of a man or a male, a black male, with a gun wearing a green shirt. He's got a green shirt. He started walking away as we pulled up."

It was an answer insufficient for Forbes and questions what she calls excessive force.

On the video, she asked the deputy, "So why are they putting him in the back of a car?"

The deputy responded, "I don't know why at this point."

"I refuse to allow my kid be a part of whatever they have going on," Forbes told FOX 5. "There is not going to be another case. I refuse to let that happen."

The Charles County Sheriff's Office said in a statement:

"We have not received a formal complaint regarding this event. However, maintaining trust with our communities is of the upmost importance and we will look into this matter further."