Autistic boy, 15, detained by police after discussing Winona Ryder film in class
A 15-year-old autistic boy was detained by police after discussing a classic Winona Ryder film during a class assignment.
Terrance O'Connor, from Harlem, New York, US, was asked by his teacher to pick a movie to talk about when he decided to pick the 1989 dark comedy "Heathers" last year.
He told his teacher he identified with Christian Slater's killer character "J.D", according to a lawsuit filed on May 19 by his dad, David.
Staff reported him to the school administrators who then asked for him to be reported to the New York Police Department.
However, no one in authority told officers Terrance was autistic and in a special education setting.
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Christian Slater as “J.D.” in “Heathers” (New World Pictures)David told the New York Post: "(He's) 15, but he's really more like five."
Cops told him they were placing Terrance under arrest “for homicidal ideation and a potential terrorist threat,” according to the Manhattan Supreme Court complaint filed against the city, the Department of Education, the NYPD, Health and Hospitals.
At least six officers turned up to Dave's home later the same day and detained the boy for questioning.
He said his son was the "sweetest boy" who police kept with no lawyer and representation, the lawsuit argues.
The 15-year-old was later sent to Metropolitan Hospital for a mental evaluation and returned home on June 2, 2022 just after midnight.
A teacher asked the boy to pick a film in class (New World Pictures)Following the incident, which has "really screwed him up", Terrance doesn't want to leave the house, according to his dad.
He thinks police and the FBI are looking for him, which has forced the teenager to become isolated.
Dave has criticised the school and authorities for failing to recognise Terrance has autism.
The dad also revealed Terrance lost his family home in Hurricane Sandy.
In addition, his children, including Terrance, were hugely affected after they found their mum dead in the bathroom following a health battle.
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“I don’t have my son. My son, the one that I would sit down and do Legos with, I don’t have him", he said.
Family lawyer Migir Ilganayev says the boy was badly let down by the institutions that should have protected him.
Mr Ilganayev said: “What happened to TJ should never happen to any child, irrespective of whether they are autistic or not.”
The family is suing the police, his school and the hospital. They are seeking an unspecified amount in damages.
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