The mother of a young boy who was arrested and taken to jail for public urination is seeking financial compensation from local government officials in north Mississippi.
Latonya Eason, the mother of 11-year-old Quantavious Eason, has filed a $2 million lawsuit against the city of Senatobia, Police Chief Richard Chandler, Officer Zachary Jenkins, and four other unidentified officers with the department for the trauma the family endured over the child’s nonviolent offense.
“This lawsuit is not merely a pursuit of justice for Q.E. and the Eason family — it is a call for accountability and systemic change within law enforcement practices,” Eason family attorney Carlos Moore said. “We firmly believe that every individual, regardless of age, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect by those sworn to protect and serve.”
The child was jailed by Senatobia police in August for allegedly urinating in public while his mother was consulting an attorney about a legal matter at a law office near the Tate County courthouse. Latonya was later informed by a police officer that her son had been spotted urinating in the parking lot of the law office.
Latonya stated that when asked for his reasoning, Quantavious explained that he went behind his mother’s car after his sister said the office did not have a restroom. She then reprimanded her child, resulting in the officer saying that Quantavious would only be issued a court referral and could get back in Eason’s vehicle.
Additional officers arrived shortly after, with a lieutenant later stating that the then-10-year-old was going to be arrested and placed in the back of a cop car for his actions. Quantavious was subsequently transported to the police department and released after his mother completed the required paperwork.
Following the controversy that surrounded the minor’s arrests, Senatobia Police Chief Richard Chandler stated in a social media post that the officer involved, who has not been named, is “no longer employed” with the department following an internal investigation.
“By holding the city of Senatobia, Chief Richard Chandler, Officer Zachary Jenkins, and others accountable for their actions, we aim to send a clear message that such behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Moore continued. “It is our firm belief that law enforcement agencies must prioritize the protection of citizens’ rights and well-being, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations such as children.”
The lawsuit follows a decision by Tate County youth court judge Rusty Harlow to dismiss a petition to designate Quantavious as a child in need of supervision, effectively ending a prior probation set for the adolescent. Under the probation requirements, the 11-year-old was issued to write an essay about the late NBA Hall of Fame basketball player, Kobe Bryant. He is not Scot-free from any legal punishment.
