A viral video showing a 13-year-old Black girl being handcuffed by Baltimore police after an altercation with an older white woman has ignited widespread anger online and among witnesses. The footage, which has been shared over 1,400 times since it was posted on TikTok on October 13, shows the stark contrast in how the two were treated by law enforcement. The girl is seen restrained and questioned, while the woman, unrestrained, speaks casually with another officer nearby.
The scene took place on the city’s waterfront, where about ten officers were present. The video captured the girl standing calmly with her hands cuffed behind her back, as onlookers questioned the officers about the decision to detain her while the older woman involved in the altercation remained free. “Are you serious?” a woman in the crowd can be heard shouting at the police.
At one point, the woman involved holds up a wallet, accusing the girl of damaging her belongings, though the details of what exactly occurred remain unclear. Despite the disparity in their treatment, the 13-year-old maintains her composure, speaking calmly to the officers. A member of the crowd advises her not to talk until her mother arrives. About six minutes into the video, the handcuffs are finally removed, and the girl is seen making a phone call.
Baltimore police have yet to respond to requests for comment, and no charges appear to have been filed. The identity of the older woman and her role in the altercation remain unknown. The video, however, has sparked debate over racial bias in police conduct, with many viewers pointing out the unequal treatment of the two individuals.
In a summary of the incident, the man who filmed the altercation, known as CongoLarry on TikTok, condemned the police response. “That’s what you call white privilege,” he remarked. “They put a 13-year-old Black girl in handcuffs, and the white woman just stood there.” His account of the situation has fueled further outrage online, with commenters expressing their frustration at the handling of the incident.
The video also raised legal questions, as Maryland’s Child Interrogation Protection Act, enacted in 2022, prohibits law enforcement from questioning juveniles without first notifying a parent or attorney. Many viewers questioned why the girl was in handcuffs at all and why she was being questioned without an adult present. Some cited the law in their criticism of the officers’ actions, with one viewer remarking, “Why are they talking to her without an adult? Why is this child in handcuffs?”
The law, intended to protect the rights of minors during police interactions, has been controversial among law enforcement and prosecutors, with some arguing that it hinders their ability to hold juveniles accountable. Efforts to amend or overturn the legislation are currently being debated in Maryland’s legislature.
As the footage continues to circulate online, the incident has become yet another flashpoint in the ongoing conversation about racial inequality and policing in America. Public outrage over the case underscores broader concerns about how race influences police treatment, particularly in incidents involving Black children.
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