Woman upset after officer Baker Acted 9-year-old son

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A Seminole County mom said a school resource officer went too far when he Baker Acted her son.

Karen kind said her son, Zach King, was taken into custody while she was trying to drop him off in front of Wicklow Elementary School.

Florida's Baker Act allows law enforcement officials to take individuals into custody for mental health evaluation and treatment -- voluntarily or involuntarily.

The officer reported that he believed the 9-year-old could hurt himself or others.

“It’s terrible because he shouldn’t have been there. The nurses were telling me on the ward he shouldn’t be there, we don’t know why he’s here,” Karen King said.

Karen King showed Channel 9 reporter Tim Barber records that said Zach king did not threaten violence, engage in violent behavior or attempt to injure himself.

She said her son has Asperger's syndrome and several behavioral problems, all of which the school was aware of.

Zach King said he acted the way he did because children pick on him in class.

“I got really nervous and my mom only got to see me for one hour,” he said.

“There was no need to Baker Act my child because he doesn’t want to hurt himself or others,” Karen King said.

WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said although the officer was in his rights to Baker Act the boy, it was not the best course of action.

“It was really frightening. I didn’t know what a Baker Act was until I asked my mom what it was,” Zach King said.

The school district said it has no say in if a student needs to be Baker Acted.

Karen King said she is home schooling her son until she can find a special school for him.

Barber asked police several times about the incident but still has not heard back.

More Information: Florida Department of Children and Families Baker Act Fact Sheet

WFTV