Family sues Joliet after police officer searches 12-year-old girl during traffic stop

JOLIET, Ill. - The family of a 12-year-old girl filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Joliet and the Joliet Police Department, alleging the child was unlawfully searched by a male police officer during a routine traffic stop.

What we know:

The girl was allegedly a passenger in a vehicle and was not suspected of any crime when she was ordered out and subjected to a pat-down search by the officer.

The pat-down included contact with her upper thigh and groin area and was recorded on the officer's body-worn camera, according to The Cochran Firm, which is representing the family.

According to the complaint, the following conversation happened between the officer and the JPD sergeant:

JPD Sergeant: "You seriously patted down that little girl?"

Officer: "Uhh, I mean, I quickly realized aft, like during."

JPD Sergeant: "Fu**. I don’t even know how to smooth this one over."

Officer: "No, but uhh. I mean, on the. Like I said. Like I quickly realized ‘cause I 
had her face the vehicle or whatever. It was. It was."

JPD Sergeant: "I mean I’m going to pretty much have to be like you made a mistake."

Officer: "No, yeah. Agreed. Uhmm, but I think like on the camera it’s not going to 
show that it’s like some sort of thorough."

JPD Sergeant: "Of course she’s going to fu***** make a fu***** huge deal about this."

Officer: "No, yeah."

JPD Sergeant: "He’s a pervert."

Officer: "Well that definitely wasn’t the intention obviously."

JPD Sergeant: "I know."

Officer: "Yeah. Yeah. It’s a mistake I think."

JPD Sergeant: "Alright."

Joliet police later acknowledged the search violated department policy and constitutional standards and said the officer involved was disciplined.

Attorneys said the lawsuit will allege violations of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments and raises concerns about training, supervision and protections for minors during police encounters.

What they're saying:

"This should never happen to any child," the girl’s mother said in a statement. "My daughter did nothing wrong. She complied with police instructions, and yet she was put through something no child should experience, especially not from the people who are supposed to be protecting them.

What's next:

The family and their attorneys are expected to discuss the lawsuit at a 10:30 a.m. news conference on Thursday.