A viral TikTok video has sparked outrage after it showed Baltimore police officers handcuffing a 13-year-old Black girl during an altercation with an older white woman, who was not restrained.
The incident, which occurred on Oct. 13, has led to accusations of bias and a public outcry over the apparent disparity in treatment.
In the footage, the girl appears calm and compliant while being questioned by multiple officers, despite the presence of the older woman, who casually interacts with one officer just yards away.
Witnesses expressed their discontent with the treatment disparity, with one bystander labeling the situation as “white privilege.”
During the exchange, the woman claimed that the girl had “broken” something, while holding a wallet with credit cards spilling out.
However, it remained unclear what exactly transpired between the two individuals.
The teenager was later seen making a phone call after the handcuffs were removed, following a lengthy questioning session by the officers.
The incident raises serious questions about the officers’ actions, particularly in light of Maryland’s Child Interrogation Protection Act.
Enacted in 2022, the law prohibits police from questioning juveniles without a parent or lawyer present. Critics argue that the police overstepped their bounds, violating the rights of the minor involved.
Local onlookers were quick to voice their concerns, with one witness noting:
“You antagonized her! Why did you antagonize that kid?”
As discussions around the legality of the officers’ conduct grew, social media users criticized the Baltimore Police Department for their handling of the situation.
Comments like “this angered me to my soul” and calls for accountability flooded the TikTok post shared by the video’s creator, known as Congol Larry.
While no charges were filed against the girl, who was eventually turned over to her mother, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding policing practices, especially in cases involving minors.
Baltimore Police have not publicly commented on the incident.
