A Bronx family is suing several NYPD officers, saying police wrongfully beat and arrested a teen with autism in November.
Troy Cannales, the teen, says police approached him as he leaned on a car outside his home. He says the officers beat his head into the concrete sidewalk and took him into custody, only to release him about 20 minutes later.
Family members say he may have been wrongfully arrested because police mistook him for another black suspect.
His family's lawyer says police need better protocol on handling people with mental disabilities. He says there's a patrol guide provision that deals with emotionally disturbed people, but not with developmentally disabled or autistic people.
Cannales' mother says the teen was traumatized by the incident but is doing well in therapy.
The NYPD declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.