Minneapolis police have apprehended a 10-year-old boy for driving a stolen vehicle through a school playground, narrowly avoiding hitting children who were playing.
The incident took place on September 20 at Nellie Stone Johnson School, and the boy is now facing second-degree assault charges.
According to police records, he has more than 30 prior offenses, including auto theft and assault.
O’Hara stated that the family is cooperating with law enforcement and has previously sought assistance in managing their son’s behavior.
“It is unimaginable that a 10-year-old boy has engaged in this level of criminal activity without adequate intervention,” O’Hara said. “Prison is not a viable option for a child this age. However, adults need to take action to help both him and his family moving forward.”
O’Hara noted that the boy’s mother has reached out to “the system” for support, but she feels it has consistently failed both her and her child. She described “the system” as “the devil’s playground,” claiming that without consequences, children engage in crimes “for their own amusement.”
The community is frustrated that, despite the police’s efforts to arrest individuals like this, there seems to be no effective solution for such young offenders, leading to a cycle of repeat offenses this year.
“This is a pressing issue that requires a response from all levels of government,” he added.
On Friday morning, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s office issued a statement urging “urgent and immediate action” to address the “complex needs” of at-risk youths.
