NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — The Newark Police Department’s internal affairs unit is investigating the claim that an 8-year-old girl was handcuffed in her apartment during a raid targeting her 17-year-old brother.
Newark officers were executing a search warrant for 17-year-old Al-Malik Austin in connection to a shooting just after 5 a.m. on April 27. His eight-year-old half sister Takia Germany, was sharing a room with him at the time.
Their mother, 35-year-old Sheila Austin, was asleep in the next room when police entered the home.
The family claims Germany was handcuffed with a plastic zip tie and forced to watch as police held her mother at gunpoint.
The younger Austin was arrested and is being held at Essex County Juvenile Detention Center on attempted aggravated assault and weapons charges.
Police reportedly found a handgun during the raid.
On May 3, the older Austin and Germany attended a City Council meeting to complain about police’s behavior during the raid.
The mayor claims to have received a memo from the police department claiming the girl was not handcuffed, according to NJ.com.
Germany is undergoing counseling at her elementary school. NJ.com reported she has been crying in class, struggling with sleep and demonstrating other signs of pediatric trauma.
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