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“Let me see my child!” Mother says she`s been denied access to 15-year-old son since officer-involved shooting
"Let me see my child!" Mother says she`s been denied access to 15-year-old son since officer-involved shooting
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- He is in police custody at Children's Hospital -- and he's been there since April 24th, when he was shot by a Milwaukee police officer. The mother of 15-year-old Kevin Cole says she's been denied access to her child, and on Wednesday, May 6th, she was joined by supporters in front of the hospital where she held a press conference -- demanding access to her child.
Tamara Cole
"I love you, Kevin! I love you -- if you're watching this," Tamara Cole said. "Let me hear his voice -- just something! Let me see my child!"
On Wednesday, May 6th, Tamara Cole stood in front of Children's Hospital -- where her 15-year-old son Kevin remains after he was shot by a Milwaukee police officer near 26th and Nash on April 24th. She was joined by a group of family members, friends and advocates who are supporting her effort to see her son.
"They say he doing alright. She wanna see for herself," Cole's father, Mitch Critton said.
"We represent a concerned community that is appalled at how this mother has been treated. We feel that -- even if Kevin was in the wrong in this particular situation, it doesn't negate the fact that Tamara Cole is that child's mother, and she has a right to see him," Cole family spokesperson Shawn Muhammad said.
Kevin Cole
Police were called out to the area of 26th and Nash on April 24th after ShotSpotter technology alerted them to shots fired in the area. Police say information from officer and witness interviews indicates Kevin Cole was armed with a semi-automatic handgun. Authorities say officers stopped two teens after responding to the area of 26th and Nash. Shortly thereafter, 15-year-old Kevin Cole was shot.
Police say they recovered a loaded handgun at the scene.
Kevin Cole's attorney says the boy hasn't been charged -- and he questions whether police have had access to the boy which has been denied to others.
"Our concern is that, quite frankly, they're attempting to talk to him before he's afforded his right to counsel and have parental visitation," Craig Mastantuono said.
26th and Nash officer-involved shooting
Cole's parents got a visit from a hospital representative during a press conference held Wednesday afternoon, and she spoke with the boy's supporters. Following that conversation, Cole's mother told FOX6 News she wasn't exactly encouraged by what she heard.
"They just giving us the run around," Tamara Cole said.
Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn spoke about this case with reporters on Wednesday afternoon. He said the following:
A statement from Children's Hospital indicates its policies prevent patients in police custody from having visitors.