Ex-Officer Convicted for Staged Arrest

PHOTO CAPTION: Former Lawrenceburg police officer Kyle Hunter Scott, 23, was convicted on November 5, 2026, of misdemeanor assault and attempted official oppression after handcuffing a 3-year-old boy during a staged arrest in Tennessee. Prosecutors said the incident was arranged to frighten the child into behaving. Scott faces up to 17 months and 29 days in jail, with sentencing expected in 2027. (Photo: Sumner County District Attorney General's Office.)

A former Tennessee police officer has been convicted of assault and attempted official oppression after handcuffing a crying 3-year-old boy during a staged arrest that investigators say was arranged with the child's own mother to frighten him into behaving.

Kyle Hunter Scott, 23, formerly of the Lawrenceburg Police Department, was found guilty Thursday, November 5, following a two-day jury trial in Sumner County Criminal Court.

Prosecutors said Scott arrived at the child's home wearing his police-issued service vest, confronted the toddler over his behavior, restrained him with handcuffs and carried him outside while the boy cried for his mother.

The child had been diagnosed with autism several months before the incident.

The encounter occurred in May 2025, but the case returned to public attention after the jury convicted Scott of two misdemeanor offenses. He now faces a possible sentence of up to 17 months and 29 days in county jail.

A Fake Arrest Planned by Three Adults

According to Sumner County District Attorney General Thomas Dean, the incident occurred May 25, 2025, at a home in Sumner County.

Investigators determined that Scott, his girlfriend and the child's mother had arranged what they described as a "scared straight" intervention.

The mother was reportedly frustrated with the boy's behavior and wanted the encounter to frighten him into behaving.

Scott arrived wearing his Lawrenceburg Police Department-issued service vest.

The child was already crying when Scott entered the home, according to prosecutors' description of video evidence presented during the investigation.

Scott began confronting the toddler about allegedly damaging property in the house.

The boy promised to behave, but Scott continued the staged arrest.

Prosecutors said Scott placed the child on his stomach and secured handcuffs behind his back while the boy cried and asked to be released.

During the encounter, Scott repeatedly instructed the child to stop resisting.

He then picked up the handcuffed boy and carried him outside.

The child reached for his mother and cried out for her while being taken from the home, according to investigators.

The encounter was recorded by a person who was present.

Video Led to an Investigation

The incident came to the attention of law enforcement after the recording began circulating.

White House Police Department Sgt. Dan Hunter investigated the allegations and obtained a copy of the video.

White House is a Tennessee municipality in the Nashville region, not a reference to the presidential residence in Washington.

Investigators reviewed the recording and determined that the encounter had been planned in advance.

Scott was still a Lawrenceburg police officer when the incident occurred.

After the circumstances became public, the Lawrenceburg Police Department terminated his employment.

A Sumner County grand jury indicted Scott in July 2025 on charges of child abuse and official oppression.

Those were more serious charges than the offenses for which he was eventually convicted.

The investigation also extended to the other adults involved.

Child's Mother Also Faced Criminal Charges

Prosecutors said the child's mother was charged with child neglect and failure to report abuse.

Other adults who were present during the incident were charged with failing to report child abuse.

The district attorney's public account did not establish the final outcome of those separate cases.

Investigators also learned that the 3-year-old had received an autism diagnosis several months before the incident.

The Tennessee Department of Children's Services subsequently removed the boy from the home.

Authorities have not publicly disclosed his current living arrangements, and the child's identity has not been released in the reporting.

The mother's reported participation has become a central element of the case because investigators say the staged arrest was not an unexpected encounter with police.

It was a planned attempt to discipline a toddler through intimidation using the appearance and authority of law enforcement.

Jury Convicts Former Officer of Lesser Charges

Scott's trial lasted two days in Sumner County Criminal Court.

On November 5, jurors convicted him of misdemeanor assault and attempted official oppression.

The verdict did not convict him of the original felony child abuse charge.

Official oppression generally concerns the misuse of public authority to subject another person to unlawful treatment.

In Scott's case, prosecutors alleged he used the authority associated with his position as a police officer to intimidate and restrain a child as part of a staged disciplinary encounter.

The two convictions carry a combined possible sentence of up to 17 months and 29 days in county jail, according to the district attorney's office.

Scott has not yet been sentenced.

Criminal Court Judge Dee David Gay is expected to determine his punishment in 2027.

The public reporting reviewed for this article does not establish whether Scott intends to appeal the verdict.

Prosecutor Condemns Abuse of Police Authority

Following the conviction, District Attorney General Thomas Dean sharply criticized Scott's conduct.

Dean described the incident as an abuse of the authority and public trust associated with law enforcement.

He emphasized that the child should not have been subjected to intimidation and humiliation by someone who had sworn to protect the public.

The prosecutor also rejected the suggestion that the staged arrest could be justified as a form of discipline.

The case raises questions about how police authority is used outside legitimate law enforcement duties, particularly when a person acting under the appearance of official authority becomes involved in a private family dispute.

Scott was not responding to a legitimate criminal arrest involving the child.

According to prosecutors, the encounter was arranged to frighten a 3-year-old into changing his behavior.

The child was not accused of a criminal offense, and the use of handcuffs was part of the staged intervention.

What Happens Next

Although the November 5 verdict establishes Scott's criminal convictions, the case is not finished.

His sentencing remains pending before Judge Gay in 2027.

The court will determine whether he receives jail time and, if so, how much of the maximum available sentence will be imposed.

The outcomes of the separate charges filed against the child's mother and other adults have not been established in the public reporting reviewed.

For the child, the incident had consequences beyond the courtroom. State child protective services removed him from the home following the investigation.

The case began with adults attempting to frighten a toddler into behaving by staging an arrest.

It ended with a police officer losing his job and being convicted of criminal offenses arising from his treatment of the child.

The final punishment will be determined at sentencing.

(Source: OAF Nation)