Detroit Judge Under Fire For Handcuffing Teen On Court Field Trip

A Detroit judge is making headlines after a video of him handcuffing a student who fell asleep in court during a field trip with a non-profit agency went viral.

The incident happened on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024 in the 36th District Court in Detroit. Judge Kenneth King was caught on camera berating the 16-year-old female teen, and even threatening to throw her in jail.

According to the New York Post, the teen talked back to Judge Kenneth King, prompting him to order a courtroom official to put her in handcuffs and a jumpsuit.

Since the incident, Judge Kenneth King has been temporarily removed from his docket, and according to the Detroit Free Press, he will also undergo training.

36th District Court Chief Judge William McConico had this to say regarding the ordeal,

Court Judge Kenneth King failed to live up to the standard of the court. We hope that these steps will help to reassure the public of the 36th District Court's dedication to serving our community with integrity and fairness.

The mother of the teenager involved has also publicly spoken about the incident. She claims that the family does not have a permanent address, which is why her daughter was tired and fell asleep.

You can watch the video below to hear directly from the mother, LaToreya Hill. As far as Judge Kenneth King goes, he is standing by his actions.