Child-Tasering in South Dakota Sparks Lawsuit

The Mother of an eight year-old girl who was tasered last fall by a Pierre, SD police officer has retained two attorneys for a lawsuit.

The Rapid City Journal reports Dana Hanna and Patrick Duffy are representing Dawn Stenstrom and her daughter. They are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for "an excessive use of force that violated the child's civil rights."

The city of Pierre, Pierre Police Chief Robert Grandpre and four unnamed officers are listed as defendants.

Police arrived at the home last October after a babysitter called them and said the girl had a paring knife. The babysitter believed the child was threatening to harm herself, according to court documents.

Following the incident, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation ruled the officer acted appropriately. The Pierre police chief also supported the action, saying the Taser was the "least forceful" way to control the child.

[RAPID CITY JOURNAL]