Parents say Phoenix cops pointed their guns at them after their 4-year-old daughter took a doll to a store

A couple filed a $ 10 million lawsuit against the Phoenix Police Department, alleging civil rights abuses and police brutality after a police officer allegedly fired on the family. Unbeknownst to Dravon Ames and Lesha Harper, their 4-year-old daughter had taken a doll to a dollar store, reported CBS subsidiary KPHO.

Family members claim that they did not know that their daughter had taken the doll before being in their car and going to a neighboring apartment complex where their babysitter lived. It was at that time that they said that a police car had stopped behind them silently and that an officer had gone to Ames. and he would have pointed a gun.

According to the lawsuit, Ames was out of the car, kicked in the right leg and punched in the back, while Harper, who is pregnant, and her 4 and 1 year old daughters remained in the car. the car. . The officer also reportedly directed his gun at Harper and his children.

"We're talking about a little doll that's worth maybe $ 5 and horrors that have come from overreacting to that," said Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne, who represents the family.

Ames and Harper said that they had been threatened and handcuffed. They said the incident occurred on May 29, although police say it happened on May 27.

The Phoenix Police Department said it was opening an investigation after partial images of the incident were made public by a passer-by. The family says the video does not include the first five to 10 minutes of the game. No arrests were made and no charges were laid, although Mr. Ames stated that his car had been impounded and that the injuries he had suffered were the same. had rendered unable to work.

"After that, my daughters and I will never be the same again or feel the same way for the police, because it seems like every police wants blood or something, we did not do anything," Harper said. of a press conference.

The Family Dollar Store declined to file a complaint after the doll's return. Agents reportedly went to the store to investigate an unrelated stealing incident.