NYC girl, 12, arrested for doodling on desk to sue

[April 20, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A 12-year-old girl who was hauled out of her New York City school in handcuffs for doodling on her desk has started legal action against the city over her arrest.

A lawyer for Alexa Gonzalez filed legal papers seeking $1 million in damages, saying the Queens girl was subjected to overly harsh treatment.

Alexa was arrested at her junior high school in February after scribbling "I love my friends Abby and Faith" on her desk with an erasable marker.

Her family's lawyer says school officials overreacted by calling the police.

The Department of Education acknowledges the arrest was a mistake. The city's legal department has declined to comment on the lawsuit.

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Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com/

[Associated Press]

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