Lakewood, Ohio police officer Kevin Jones attacked a child without provocation; responding officers failed provide to first aid as the child bled on the library's steps.

Who are the plaintiffs?

The plaintiffs in the case are Lakewood, Ohio residents J.G., a teen female, and her preteen younger brother, D.J.

What is the case?

The complaint alleges that on November 7, 2016, at the Lakewood, Ohio public library, police officer Kevin Jones attacked J.G. without provocation. After asking J.G. to remove her feet from a chair, and she complied, Officer Jones grabbed J.G., pushed her neck, shoved her into a book cart, put her in a full nelson, and slammed her to the floor under his substantial body weight. J.G. suffered a dislocated jaw along with head and knee injuries. D.J. witnessed the attack on his sister—but was helpless to protect her.

The attack was captured on library and officer-bodycam video, shown above. More details, including photos, can be viewed by clicking here.

Officer Jones, and his fellow officers who failed to administer or timely arrange for medical care, still have their jobs.

The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

What are we trying to achieve?

Because of the attack, J.G. suffered extreme physical pain, and both J.G. and D.J. continue to suffer severe emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We hope to obtain money damages to compensate them for their suffering, and to effect changes in policies and procedures—including disciplinary and accountability standards—in the police department. That will prevent other children and adults from being victims of such misconduct in the future.

How much are we raising and why?

Our initial fundraising goal is $5,000, which will help defray out-of-pocket expenses like the hard cost of computerized legal research as well as the cost of court reporters for taking the officers' and witnesses' sworn testimony. Our stretch goal is $40,000, which will continue to cover more of those expenses, and the cost of police-practices experts who will help prove the officers' conduct, and the city's and library's policies and procedures, were improper.

None of your contributions will go toward legal fees.

What is the next step in the case?

We will begin demanding written documents from the defendants, and then start taking their sworn deposition testimony, along with testimony from witnesses.

Case background:

Please click through here for more details on the case, including video and photos.