Richard Essex/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - A Marion County corrections officer and his girlfriend face child neglect charges after a boy was left handcuffed in a home.
Police say 24-year-old Sydney Eghan used his department-issued handcuffs on his girlfriend's 12-year-old son. He cuffed the boy behind his back around 8 p.m. Friday and left for work at the Marion County Jail. The boy's mother, 30-year-old Betsy Chestnut, told police that Eghan handcuffed the boy as punishment.
The child, according to the couple, took a cell phone from his mother's office.
"The mother explained to him that what he had done was stolen the cell phone and wanted him to be taken to juvenile," IMPD Sgt. Matt Mount said. "Her fiance, who is also a Marion County corrections officer, stated no, they would take care of it there in house."
Investigators say Eghan cuffed the boy's hands behind his back, using a method that most officers wouldn't use on a prisoner.
"It appears that he failed to double-lock the handcuffs," Sgt. Mount said. "It's what's normally done when handcuffs are placed on a prisoner. That makes sure that those handcuffs cannot tighten down any further."
Police say as the boy moved his hands, the cuffs got tighter and became painful. He woke up around 2 a.m. crying, asking for help.
"[The boy] was suffering some pretty serious pain from some handcuffs that had been placed on his wrist, but worked their way up to the forearm to the point the mother was not able to move them," said Sgt. Mount.
According to police reports, the boy's arms and wrist were swelling and the pain kept him from sleeping. Chestnut told police the couple was trying to teach the child a lesson.
"He then placed the handcuffs on his wrists, informing the young man that this is what happens when you commit crimes," said Sgt. Mount.
Chestnut called 911, not to ask for medical help, but calling to speak to her fiance. The dispatcher sent officers to the house anyway.
The Marion County Sheriff's Department says they're launching their own internal investigation, since Eghan was one of their employees. They plan on looking into the incident and Eghan's personal car.
"That's why we have the internal affairs investigation take place," said MCSD Major Herman Humbles.
Police lights are stacked and fastened inside the windshield and rear window of Eghan's personal Honda. His badge of authority is also in clear view in the front seat.
The laws on flashing lights in civilian vehicles vary and most don't apply unless the lights are turned on. But law enforcement officers are often held to a higher standard within their departments to ensure they don't abuse their power when they're off-duty.
