Senatobia mother says two teenage daughters were wrongly arrested by police

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A Senatobia mother is demanding justice after she says her two daughters were wrongly arrested and sent to juvenile detention.

On Wednesday, Shanecia Miller stood outside the Tate County Courthouse holding a purse and school backpack that belonged to her daughters, 13-year-old A’laysha and 14-year-old Aniyah.

Both girls were taken to a Corinth juvenile detention center after they were arrested Monday during what Senatobia police called a “disturbance” as officers tried to collect evidence from a shooting at a public housing project.

According to Miller, Senatobia police also attacked the girls after they left school.

“I haven’t seen them in two days, haven’t spoken to them in two days,” Miller said. “Today I hope that my babies will come. You missed school. They missed two state tests this week. I would just feel better if they were in my care.”

Miller says her daughters were walking down East Gilmore and were told by police to get on the sidewalk. She says that’s when one of her daughters said something to the police.

“As they approached the sidewalk, A’Laysha, the 13-year-old, turned around and asked him what they would do if they didn’t get on the sidewalk? Arrest you?” she said.

What followed was the arrest of both girls for simple assault on a police officer after they repeatedly punched a police officer in the head with clenched fists, resisted arrest and blocked a public road.

Miller says the officers assaulted her daughters and may have injured one of the girl’s wrists.

“The video of the officers holding the two children to the ground, those are my babies,” Miller said.

The juvenile court hearing ended with the girls being released to their mother, but for Miller the outcome was more like house arrest.

“My children go home, but they have no freedom. You can’t come outside. Just school, school bus and home. They can’t even be out in the front yard. If the police drive by and see her outside, they have to lock her back up,” Miller said.

Miller, who is banned from the public housing project, was arrested for trespassing when she tried to intervene.

Senatobia police released a statement saying a large crowd had gathered and caused unrest. They said several people failed to comply and were taken into custody.