No Charges for Officers Accused of Excessive Force in Teen's Arrest

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office has made their decision in its investigation of police officers accused of using excessive force when arresting a teen last month.

"His injuries were caused, we are satisfied entirely, by his fall, which was a result of his being tased," said David Heckler, Bucks County District Attorney.

No charges will be filed against the Tullytown Police officers, who were accused by the 14-year-old boy's mother, Marissa Sargeant, of roughing him up while arresting him for shoplifting.

Officers arrested the teen and his 19-year-old cousin Jordan Gibson for retail theft at Walmart in November.  Police say after handcuffing the boy, but before he was loaded into a police car, he took off running along Route 13. 

The officers yelled warnings at the teen before firing a stun gun to subdue him, Heckler said.  With his hands cuffed behind his back, the boy was unable to brace himself when he fell face-first.

The fall caused graphic-looking injuries - his face was swollen, bruised and cut. 

"The picture speaks a thousand words," said Sargeant, who admits what her son did was wrong. 

Prosecutors are still pursuing juvenile shoplifting and other charges against the teenager. 

Regardless of the boy's actions, family members are unsatisfied with the DA's decision and insist further investigation is needed. 

"We are going to keep the pressure on," said Greg Brinkley, one of the boy's relatives.  Brinkley adds that a request will be made to the U.S. Department of Justice to look into the case. 

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