Boy says Boynton Beach police officer assaulted him 'for no reason'

Video shows officer kick teen's feet, put him in choke hold

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – A 13-year-old boy said he was put in a choke hold and kicked in the legs by a Boynton Beach police officer "for no reason."

Kevens Jean-Baptiste said he was handcuffed and taken off a school bus last week after he and another boy opened windows against the driver's orders.

One day earlier, students threw eggs from the bus, but Kevens said he wasn't being unruly.

"The girl sprayed perfume and I got asthma," he said. "I was coughing and I tried to turn on the AC. He said no, so I rolled down my window."

Police were called after the boys disobeyed the driver.

That's when cellphone video apparently shows the officer putting Kevens in a choke hold and kicking the boy's legs, causing him to fall on his back to the ground.

Boynton Beach police said the officer, who has not been identified, has been placed on administrative duty after the video surfaced on the Internet.

"We are concerned as to the initial appearance of the video, and despite the fact that we have received no formal complaints at this time, we are committed to reviewing the situation in its entirety and taking whatever action is deemed most appropriate at the conclusion of our investigation," Boynton Beach police spokeswoman Stephanie Slater said.

Kevens said he feels "kind of better." His family is expected to file a formal complaint.


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