LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. -- A Lehigh mother is speaking out after deputies arrested her 12-year-old son, who suffers from a traumatic brain injury.
Sophia Gordon tells Fox 4 Lee County Sheriff's Deputies were in her neighborhood for a service call when her son ran out of the house in his underwear. An arrest report states deputies were investigating broken statues in a neighbors yard when they spotted Gordon's 12-year-old son Noah. "They accused my son because they saw him running," said Gordon. "The first officer grabbed him on the shoulder. My son reluctantly grabbed the officers hand for him to let go."
Noah's reactions are not like that of a typical 12-year-old. Gordon explained after a serious car accident, Noah suffered a traumatic brain injury and required several surgeries. He still suffers from side effects. "He does have a traumatic brain injury, so the tendency is more of autism. He doesn't like being touched," Gordon said.
An arrest report indicated Noah went back to his home and shouted threats at the deputy when he was confronted. Gordon said the deputy then entered her home and drew his Taser. "I grabbed my son's hand and brought him back inside, and the officer went ahead and came into our home with a Taser, pointing directly at my child and I."
Gordon disclosed her son's condition, but the deputy called backup and cuffed Noah, taking him into custody. During the process, she said Noah sustained injuries to his eye and forehead, prompting concern. "There shouldn't be any other injuries with a TBI. From what we've learned from all his doctors and neurosurgeons, we have to be cautious with everything he does," said Gordon.
Deputies also arrested Gordon for Obstruction without Violence. They reported she would not get out of the way when deputies were trying to detain her son. However, Gordon said she was just trying to make sure he wasn't hurt. "They need to know more about the child and the environment. They need to speak to the parent before hand and not just put handcuffs on a child," she said.
When Noah got to the Sheriff's Office for booking, medical staff said he had to be sent to the hospital for clearance because of his TBI. He is now at home, serving a 21-day home detention. When Fox 4 asked the LCSO to explain the situation, they said they couldn't comment until after an investigation.
Noah's family has created a GoFundMe account to help with some of his ongoing medical expenses as he continues to recover from his TBI.
