Ohio police officer Jami Patterson was found guilty of two counts of dereliction of duty after she allowed an adult to whip a handcuffed 15-year-old boy with a belt.
According to the Daily Mail, Patterson burst into tears during her one-day bench trial. She testified she believed the physical punishment would help the teenager change his behavior.
A judge scheduled her sentencing for August 25. She faces up to 90 days in jail and up to a $750 fine for each charge.
The incident occurred in January at a family home in Middletown. The boy's grandmother called police to report a fight over electronic devices had turned into a physical conflict.
According to court testimony, the teenager fought with his brother. The grandmother said he kicked her when she tried to take his iPad, and he damaged several devices.
Patterson had visited the same house the previous day, when the grandmother reported the minor had a knife and threatened his biological father.
Body camera footage
The grandmother testified Patterson suggested she contact the child's probation officer and consider corporal punishment.
When Patterson arrived the second day, body camera footage captured her telling the teenager it was her second day there because of him. She told him to stand up and turn around, asking if he thought he was a big man.
Patterson then asked the grandmother what happened to corporal punishment. The grandmother called her ex-husband and asked him to bring a belt. The man arrived and introduced himself on video as the boy's grandfather.
The footage partially captured the man hitting the minor with the belt. The video was unclear because Patterson turned her body away and temporarily muted her camera's audio.
Old school punishment
After the man struck the child, Patterson told the man she respected him and liked his old school approach.
Once the 15-year-old was placed in a police cruiser, Patterson told him his grandfather was trying to put him on the right path.
She told the boy they were allowed to apply corporal punishment and that was what the man did.
Prosecutors said the teenager, who is now 16, had visible marks from the strikes but received no medical care. He was charged with domestic violence and unruly behavior.
Patterson testified everyone around the boy had let him down, including his parents, his probation officer and the legal system.
Good intentions
She said crying that the only thing she had in her heart was to suggest corporal punishment.
She told the court there was a window of a few seconds where she believed that, since she was present, the corporal punishment could be done correctly and legally, which was why she allowed it.
She said she acted in good faith, had good intentions, and thought she was helping him.
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child defines corporal punishment as any punishment using physical force intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however small.
The committee notes it usually involves hitting with a hand or objects like a belt or wooden spoon, and can be considered cruel and degrading because it may cause physical and psychological harm.
Department status
Prosecutors argued Patterson breached her duty because the man who struck the child was the grandmother's ex-husband, not a parent or legal guardian.
Under Ohio law, only parents or legal guardians have the right to impose corporal punishment.
The Middletown Police Department said Patterson remains on unpaid leave. Her employment status will be decided after consultations with legal advisors and the police union.
Patterson joined the police force in 2021. In July 2025, the department featured her for participating in CrossFit at the World Police and Fire Games.
