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Police Mistake Father’s Urn Filled With Daughter’s Ashes For Meth

Police Mistake Father’s Urn Filled With Daughter’s Ashes For Meth

He is now suing the six officers involved in the incident

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A man is suing police in Illinois after they mistook his late daughter's ashes for meth.

Dartavius Barnes was pulled over by police in Springfield in April last year, for allegedly speeding. During the traffic stop his car was searched by six officers.

Mr Barnes had been placed in handcuffs and was put into the back of a police car, while officers continued with their search of his vehicle.

Body cam footage shows a police officer holding a small gold vial he has found in the car, telling his colleague: "At first I thought it was heroin, then I checked for cocaine but it looks like it's probably meth or ecstasy."

A cop then approaches the police car in which Mr Barnes is being held and tells him he has found ecstasy or methamphetamine in his car.

Mr Barnes appears confused by the allegation and asks to see what he's talking about.

The officer then shows him a small, gold-coloured vial, which prompts a horrified Mr Barnes to shout: "No, no, no, that's my daughter, bro! What y'all doing?

"Give me that, bro! That's my daughter! That's my daughter in there. Please give me my daughter."

As the officers talk about what's happened, Mr Barnes can be heard shouting in the background while still inside the police car.

The small vial contained the remains of Ta'Naja Barnes, who died in 2019 aged two.

Springfield Police Department

One officer can be heard to say they had 'p***** off' Mr Barnes by 'testing the dead baby ashes'.

Mr Barnes is now suing the City of Springfield and the six officers involved in the incident.

He alleges police unlawfully opened up the vial without his consent and desecrated his late daughter's remains.

Police have denied any wrongdoing.

Court papers show the police admit the account Mr Barnes has given is accurate, but say his rights were not violated.

One officer wrote in his report: "I have seen similar items like this before utilized to contain narcotics."

Mr Barnes is seeking compensation for damages and a trial by jury, which a judge has set for August 2022.

LADbible has contacted Springfield Police Department for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Springfield Police Department

Topics: Police, US News