Officer puts boy into security x-ray machine to show internal organs

Posted: Apr 12, 2010 11:52 AM by Jamie Smith
Updated: Apr 12, 2010 11:52 AM

A security officer at the Valencia County District Courthouse in New Mexico is in big trouble after putting a nine-year-old boy on the conveyor belt and scanning him through the x-ray machine. Sheriff's deputies say the officer did it to show the boy his internal organs.

The x-ray machine at the courthouse is meant for scanning briefcases, purses, and preventing weapons from getting inside. "He had the child lay on the conveyer belt and had him go through the x-ray machine to show him his internal organs," said Deputy Chris Trujillo with the Valencia County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies say once the boy was inside the machine, the officer snapped a picture of the x-ray image. "But the courthouse security officer did not do this for just some random boy strolling through the courthouse, we're told it was his grandson that he put on the conveyer belt and pushed him through the x-ray machine to give the boy a picture of his organs.

Deputies say once the boy's mother found out, she complained to the officer's supervisor even though she is related to the officer herself.

The Sheriff ws extremely upset about this incident, and has launched an internal investigation and disciplinary action will be taken on the officer this week.

At this point, no charges have been filed.