Family files lawsuit after 12-year-old girl patted down by Joliet Police Department officer during traffic stop | Video
The family of a then-12-year-old girl stopped and patted down by a Joliet police officer filed a federal lawsuit Thursday, after they say the Joliet Police Department refused to meet with them over the incident.
ABC7 Chicago has blurred the face of the girl to protect her identity. Joliet police blurred her older sister's face.
Two sisters on their way to their grandmother's house were pulled over by the Joliet police for suspicion of a suspended registration for an insurance violation.
"There was no 911 call, which have made them suspicious, no bank robbery, no driving down the street at 80 or 90 miles an hour, nothing, just a routine traffic stop," attorney Victor Henderson said.
Police body camera video shows the younger sister, sitting in the front passenger seat, was asked to exit the car during the routine traffic stop.
The 12-year-old was told to turn around.
The officer patted her down with both hands, touching between her legs, upper thighs and other areas. Her older sister was heard asking the officer why he frisked a 12-year-old. Their mother rushed to the scene after receiving a phone call from her daughters.
"I came to the scene in a panic, trying to make sure everything was OK," Nayocka Jones said.
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Jones' daughters were never charged with anything. Jones immediately filed a complaint with the Joliet Police Department.
Following the Feb. 18, 2024 traffic stop, video shows the officer's sergeant in disbelief over the pat down.
The sergeant told the officer he doesn't know how to smooth this one over. The officer tried to explain his intention wasn't to be perverted.
Despite admitting wrongdoing, Jones claims the Joliet Police Department was not interested in meeting about her concerns.
"When the sergeant says, 'hey, the officer did wrong,' we naturally expected that they would sit down with us and speak to us," Henderson said.
Because of pending litigation, the Joliet Police Department has no comment.
Jones says her daughter has suffered from separation anxiety since the incident.
"She doesn't want to go anywhere. She can't stay focused. I have to keep her busy," Jones said.
As for discipline against the officer, he only received a notice of counseling by his sergeant.
It states any further violations will result in discipline.
