Mother Films Arrest of 10-Year-Old With Autism (DUPLICATE)

Okeechobee County deputies arrested a 10-year-old boy at school on Wednesday, April 12, charging him with felony battery for kicking a teacher in November. His mother filmed the encounter, as her son, who has autism, was taken away in handcuffs.John Benji Haygood spent the night in a juvenile facility in Fort Pierce and was released to his mother, Luanne Haygood, on Thursday, she told WPTV.Haygood said the kicking incident took place because her son didn’t feel safe with the teacher. The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office told WPTV they were unaware the boy was on the autism spectrum, and school officials declined to comment.