A Florida High School student who refused to wear a mask, which violated his probation, was reportedly arrested at school Sept. 17.
Jose Rivas, the lawyer for the 16-year-old student’s family, said the move was “government abuse” of a teen prone to panic attacks, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The teen, whose name was redacted in documents, reportedly violated probation requiring him to maintain good behavior in school. Rivas said the teen’s action did not warrant the arrest. (RELATED: Southwest Plane Returns To Gate After 2-Year-Old Removes Mask)
“Should they be arresting a 16-year-old child knowing he already has a medical condition?” Rivas said.
“We will be seeking just and fair compensation for the illegal arrest … and the harm that this action caused him,” Rivas’ law firm added in a statement.
NEW: The lawyer for the family of a 16-year-old boy who was arrested last month after refusing to wear a mask at a central Florida high school called the incident “government abuse” of a teen suffering from panic attacks.https://t.co/6JXQa0vM60
— WTVC NewsChannel 9 (@newschannelnine) October 6, 2020
The student’s mother told the Orlando Sentinel that her son has an anxiety condition and was arrested when he went to the office for water when he felt anxious and that the mask was hindering his breathing.
“I couldn’t grasp it at first. Because of a mask?” the Sentinel quoted the mother saying. “I was just in a disbelief,” she said.
A Seminole County Sheriff’s Office report said that a condition of the boy’s probation was to obey school rules, the AP reported. The report also states that the boy was previously caught violating school distancing policing and vaping. The sheriff’s office told the Orlando Sentinel that he was arrested for violating probation, not for refusing a mask.
The boy’s mother said the family is moving and he will finish school online for fear of being a target, according to the AP.