Schoolgirl sues police over handcuffs

A 12-year-old New York schoolgirl who was arrested and handcuffed for doodling on her classroom desk is suing police for one million dollars, a report said.

Lawyers for Alexa Gonzalez claim police used excessive force and violated her rights in the February incident at Junior High School 190 in the Queens neighbourhood.

Gonzalez's mother, Moraima Camacho, told the Daily News that the schoolgirl merely scribbled "I love my friends Abby and Faith" – in washable green ink – when teachers pounced on her and dragged her to the dean's office. Police were called and officers cuffed and arrested the pre-teen. At the police station she was handcuffed to a pole for more than two hours, according to the lawsuit against the police and education departments.

The city could not be reached immediately for comment. Police and city officials have previously said the arrest was a mistake.

"The whole situation has been a nightmare," Camacho was quoted as saying in the Daily News.