A Florida deputy filmed lifting and body slamming an 11-year-old boy to the ground outside a school 'did not use excessive force,' according to St. Lucie's Sheriff.
In a video filmed on April 9, the child can be seen walking away from a St. Lucie Sheriff's deputy Diederech Hueck before Hueck runs after him, lifts him into the air, and then throws him onto the pavement in front of Lincoln Park Academy, Fort Pierce.
The footage from the cell phone of a fellow student watching from a school bus shows the law enforcement officer then place himself on top of the child, whose grandfather told WPTV is now undergoing a mental-health evaluation.
Sheriff Ken Mascara said it's important to know the context of what occurred and the history of the 11-year-old student.
The video of the incident showing the St. Lucie County Sheriff's deputy taking down the sixth grader outside Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce on April 9 has gone viral
Diederech Hueck was seen lifting up and then throwing the 11-year-old boy to the ground outside school
Mascara said the student had caused multiple disturbances on the day in question, 'refused to comply with instructions by school staff … and was physically aggressive to staff as well as students'.
'The deputy did everything he could to defuse the situation,' Mascara said, as reported by Treasure Coast Newspapers. 'His use of force fell within the legal, and our agency guidelines.'
Following the incident the Sheriff's Office said the sixth grader was taken to hospital for a check-up but complained of no injuries and left simply with a Band Aid on his knee.
Sheriff Ken Mascara said his deputy's use of force fell within legal and agency guidelines
Sheriff Ken Mascara said it's important to know the context of what occurred and the history of the 11-year-old student and to view the video 'in context'
Mascara said he didn't think the deputy used excessive force in the video.
'I think the context is most important before you watch the video,' Mascara added.
Mascara said the student is facing charges including battery on a teacher, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct on campus.
The sheriff said the student has a history of violence in school and at home.
'The student also has a safety plan established by the school that requires that he be escorted anywhere on the school campus by staff, which should lead people to summarize that this kid is a pretty big danger to just about everyone at school,' the sheriff said.
Hueck has been a school resource deputy for eight years. He spent five years at Fort Pierce Westwood High School and three in his current role at Lincoln Park Academy.
Police reports state he has thrown himself at classroom window and slammed his own head into a wall during incidents at school that day and in February
The sheriff office said the youngster is on a Diversion Program for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a felony. The child has
