TEXT JOIN TO 77022

Colorado Dad Handcuffed in Front of 6-Year-Old Daughter for Allegedly Violating Social Distancing Rules

A father was arrested and cuffed in front of his 6-year-old daughter at a park in Brighten, Colorado, on Sunday afternoon after he allegedly violated the state’s social distancing guidelines and refused to show his identification to the police.

Now Matt Mooney, 33, thinks the police owe him an apology, according to FOX31.

Brighton is a suburb northeast of Denver.

Mooney said he refused to show his I.D. to the three police officers who accosted him because he didn’t think he was doing anything wrong by playing tee-ball with his wife and daughter at the park.

He told Fox31 Problem Solvers that the cops told him if he didn’t give them his information, they would handcuff him in front of his daughter.

“She’s like, ‘Daddy, I don’t want you to get arrested.’ At this point I’m thinking, ‘There’s no way they’re going to arrest me, this is insane.’ I’m telling her, ‘Don’t worry, Daddy’s not going to get arrested. I’ve done nothing wrong. Don’t worry about it,’ and then they arrest me.”

Former Brighton City Councilman Kirby Wallin was on the scene and recorded much of the incident on his cellphone.

“He’s being taken by the Brighton police for playing softball with his daughter in an empty park,” Wallin said in the video. He estimated the size of the park to be about 30 to 40 acres.

Wallin told Fox 31 Problem Solvers,”I certainly don’t think it’s appropriate for a father to be handcuffed in front of his family.”

The sign at Donelson Park said “Closed” but in smaller print reads, “in groups of no more than 4 persons, parks remain open for walking, hiking, biking, running and similar activities.”

Mooney, who was there with just his wife and daughter, argued that it was the officers who were violating the social distancing guidelines.

“During the contact, none of the officers had masks on, none of them had gloves on, and they’re in my face handcuffing me, they’re touching me,” he said.

The dad said he spent about 10 minutes in the back of a patrol car before he was released.

“If we’re going to go ahead and start arresting people for no reason in front of their 6-year-old daughter, you’re just going to cause more problems later on,” he said.

Wallin said that there should be “an investigation of the incident and an explanation to the community.”

Brighton police posted a statement on its Facebook page Sunday night that seemed to indicate that the incident is under investigation.

“The Brighton Police Department is conducting an investigation into a situation that occurred late this afternoon at Donelson Park. This is an active investigation and so we are unable to provide additional information until the investigation is complete.”

Mooney said he didn’t see the need for a complicated investigation and demanded a quick and public apology from the Brighton police.

Get the news corporate media won't tell you.

Get caught up on today's must read stores!

By submitting your information, you agree to receive exclusive AG+ content, including special promotions, and agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms. By providing your phone number and checking the box to opt in, you are consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from my short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

About Debra Heine

Debra Heine is a conservative Catholic mom of six and longtime political pundit. She has written for several conservative news websites over the years, including Breitbart and PJ Media.

Photo: Getty Images

Content created by the Center for American Greatness, Inc. is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a significant audience. For licensing opportunities for our original content, please contact licensing@centerforamericangreatness.com.