Ark. town says FBI steps into Tasered girl case

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 11:04 AM ET

OZARK, Ark. (AP) - Officials in Ozark say the FBI has dispatched investigators to their small Arkansas town to look into last week's use of a Taser on a 10-year-old girl who refused to take a shower.

Mayor Vernon McDaniel and Police Chief Jim Noggle said Friday they're pleased the FBI stepped in.

Officer Dustin Bradshaw was suspended with pay for a week for not having a video camera attached to his Taser. The western Arkansas town wants the FBI to consider whether using the Taser on the girl was appropriate.

The girl's mother called police Nov. 11 after the mother said the girl refused to take a shower. Bradshaw said the girl became violent and "verbally combative" and that her mother suggested using the Taser.

The FBI did not comment.