East Hartford officer on leave after boy punched

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- An East Hartford police officer has been placed on leave after he was accused of punching a 12-year-old boy.

Officer Woodrow Tinsley III is accused of repeatedly punching the boy in the face and stomach earlier this month.

According to the Hartford Courant, the boy's mother has filed a notice of intent to sue the town following the incident, which occurred at her home.

The boy was apparently refusing to attend a court-ordered psychological evaluation. A Department of Children and Families employee, Lisa Freeman, saw what happened and gave the following statement to police:

"I arrived at family home at 8:10 a.m. and spoke with mother and child, (Blank), about the importance of attending court ordered evaluation.

(Blank) refused to attend as he was tired and the appointment would take too long. I gave (Blank) the option of getting dressed and attending or contacting EHPD for assistance. He refused so I called EHPD around 8:22 a.m. and they asked a few questions before Officer Tinsley arrived.

Upon arrival, Officer Tinsley asked what was going on and told (Blank) he had two seconds to get dressed or he would go as he was. (Blank) refused so Officer Tinsley pulled him towards the door. (Blank) was pushing against the door, refusing to leave out so Officer Tinsley pushed (Blank) to the ground, punched him in the face, stomach and kneed him in the neck area in order to put on handcuffs.

(Blank) was on the ground face down saying 'I'm only 12, you hit me in the face.' Mother and I put on his pants, shirt and jacket and left out. Mother and her one-year-old cried and screamed to help as this occurred. "

According to East Hartford police, there is an internal investigation and a criminal investigation into what happened.

Tinsley has been on the force for 10 years.