Tasering of child in South Dakota Draws Lawsuit

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A woman whose 8-year-old daughter was shot with a Taser is suing the city of Pierre, its now-retired police chief and four unnamed officers.

Dawn Stenstrom says in the suit filed in federal court that officers used excessive force and violated the child's civil rights. She's seeking unspecified monetary damages.

The incident happened last October, when authorities say the suicidal girl turned a knife toward an officer. State investigators later concluded that the officer was justified in using his Taser on the girl because it was the safest method to defuse the situation.

Dana Hanna, an attorney for Stenstrom, tells the Rapid City Journal that the girl suffered physical, psychological and emotional injuries.

Pierre city and police officials didn't immediately respond to Associated Press requests for comment on the lawsuit.