Overview
- The family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment violations after a February 2024 stop.
- Body-worn camera video shows Officer Daniel Avila patting down the 12-year-old passenger during a stop for inoperative lights before the vehicle was towed for a suspended registration.
- Joliet police have stated the search violated department policy and constitutional standards, and they say the officer was disciplined.
- A Notice of Counseling issued four days after the incident found no reasonable suspicion to frisk the child, cited a policy violation, and warned the officer about possible termination for future offenses.
- The lawsuit highlights broader concerns outlined in a December 2024 Illinois Attorney General report that found patterns of unreasonable force, discriminatory practices, and accountability failures at the department.