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wasoxygen  ·  3444 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: A SWAT team blew a hole in my 2-year-old son

The Habersham County Grand Jury has submitted its report on the incident. The grand jury is "the only body of citizens who have heard all of the evidence and all of the facts rather than only portions of it."

Findings:

• "Nothing can be more difficult and heart wrenching than injuries to one's child."

• Law enforcement officers experienced "very real sadness, regret, and anguish." They are not "un-feeling or un-caring robots;" rather "they are human beings as well."

• "The drug investigation that led to these events was hurried, sloppy, and unfortunately not in accordance with the best practices and procedures."

• "Some of what contributed to this tragedy can be attributed to well-intentioned people getting in too big a hurry."

• "no amount of drugs is worth a member of the public being harmed, even if un-intentionally, or a law enforcement officer being harmed."

• "one agent failed to appropriately act calmly when interacting with the father of the baby. In this emotionally charged situation, the agent should have calmed the situation rather than screaming." ("This agent is no longer at the drug unit.")

• "The Grand Jurors wish to praise the quick action of the two officers with paramedic training and the foresight of the S.R.T. commander to make available an ambulance in case of injuries."

• "There is no available evidence that shows that the parents of the child participated in drug sales at the residence. There is evidence that they were aware of criminal activity and drug sales on the part of persons at the residence, and specifically Wanis Thonetheva. The Grand Jury considered whether any criminal charges were warranted against the parents or any other persons living at the residence, and have found insufficient evidence upon which to base any criminal charge."

Recommendations:

• When militarized police teams execute a search warrant, "it should be assumed that children ARE present unless strong evidence suggests otherwise."

• Officers who prepare search warrants should get "advanced formal instruction and education."

• "We do not recommend criminal charges based upon the totality of the evidence."

Awkward closing:

• "The way to avoid tragedies such as this one in the future is to learn from them. The easiest way for a tragedy to repeat is not to learn from it. The Grand Jurors hope and pray for a full recovery for Baby Bou Bou, and for the entire family including the other children impacted."