From Law & Crime · · 2m
Tennessee cop convicted after staged 'scared straight' intervention on autistic child
Tennessee police officer Kyle Scott convicted for handcuffing 3-year-old autistic boy during fake arrest attempt.
In brief
Tennessee police officer Kyle Scott convicted for handcuffing 3-year-old autistic boy during fake arrest attempt. Tennessee officer Kyle Scott was convicted of assault and attempted official oppression after staging a fake arrest on an autistic child during a 'scared straight' intervention. Originally reported by Law…
Conviction for officer
Kyle Scott, 23, was found guilty of assault and attempted official oppression in Sumner County court.
Staged intervention
Scott staged a fake arrest on a 3-year-old autistic boy to 'scared straight' him during a May 2025 incident.
Cellphone video evidence
Cellphone video captured Scott wearing his Lawrenceburg PD-issued service vest during the confrontation.
Child's distress
The boy cried and begged for his mother as Scott placed handcuffs on him while he was on his stomach.
Autism diagnosis
The child had been diagnosed with autism just months before the incident.
Officer's actions
Scott repeatedly terrorized the child and instructed him to 'stop resisting' while placing handcuffs.
False arrest belief
The boy believed he was being arrested as Scott walked out of the home with him.
Mother's charges
The boy's mother was charged with child neglect and failure to report abuse.
Officer's firing
Scott was fired after the video surfaced and indicted in July 2025.
District attorney's statement
District Attorney Thomas Dean called Scott's conduct 'shocking and outrageous' and a 'disgraceful abuse of authority'.
Potential sentence
Scott faces up to 17 months and 29 days in jail with sentencing expected in 2027.
Planned intervention
Detectives testified that Scott, his girlfriend and the mother planned the entire ordeal to discipline the child.
Child's removal
The victim was removed from his home by the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.
Other charges
Other adults in the home were charged with failure to report child abuse.
At a glance
Tennessee officer Kyle Scott was convicted of assault and attempted official oppression after staging a fake arrest on an autistic child during a 'scared straight' intervention.
