State Trooper Pepper-Sprays 13-Year-Old Because He Stayed In Bed Instead Of Going To School

The 13-year-old is his girlfriend’s son.

Trooper Ernest Boatright was charged with child endangerment and harassment, WTAE-TV first reported Tuesday.

Boatright told investigators he had pepper sprayed two cats on an enclosed porch, according to court records, but the boy told investigators that Boatright sprayed the chemical into his room in April. The boy told police the trooper also had sprayed him with the substance before, police said.

The trooper didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment, but his attorney, Matthew Zatko, told The Associated Press Boatright “categorically denies all of the allegations and welcomes the opportunity to defend himself and clear his name.”

By: Cheston Catalano

Cheston Catalano is a Kentucky-based journalist whose work has been featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. He is a long-time contributor to Liberaland.