Police Bust Into Dad's Home And Arrest Him For Piercing Son's Ear

On Thursday (20 April), Jeremy Sherland, 45, was arrested in his home by officers from Tontitown Police Department, a moment which was captured on film by his teenage son.
 
As the police restrained his father and escorted him out of the house in handcuffs, the son could be heard questioning the officers and expressing confusion as to why his dad was being arrested.

TikTok / @iamnugget770

In a caption accompanying the video, the son claimed that his father was being arrested because he had pierced his ear a year ago.

"I pierced my ear a year ago and he got arrested because of it."

On the other hand, the Tontitown Police Department presented a different account of the incident in a statement posted on Facebook yesterday (23 April).

According to the department's statement, they became aware of the family after being contacted by a Springdale Police School Resource Officer.

TikTok / @iamnugget770

The School Resource Officer from Springdale alleged that the son had arrived at school with a piercing in his left ear and told his classmates that his father had forcefully inserted the earring into his ear while intoxicated and had also placed him in a chokehold.

Concerned for the child's welfare, the officer reported the incident to the Tontitown Police Department, who then visited the family's residence and questioned Sherland about the allegation.

"Jeremy admitted to piercing his son's ear," the police statement says.

TikTok / @iamnugget770

As the police attempted to conduct further investigation into the matter, the father reportedly refused to allow the officers to speak with his son.

Arkansas law states: "A person shall not perform body art on a person under sixteen years of age, regardless of parental consent. It is unlawful to perform body art in any unlicensed facility."
 
The police officers returned to the family's residence at a later time, at which point the son began filming the encounter.

TikTok / @iamnugget770

According to the department's statement, Sherland had met the officers at the door and requested that they step outside, but the officers claimed he refused to comply with their request.

"Officers told Jeremy he was under arrest and explained the probable cause for the arrest," the statement said. "Jeremy refused to comply. Officers then took him into custody."
 
The TikTok video of the incident, which has since gained widespread attention, shows the father laughing as the officers explain the grounds for his arrest.

"I wanted my ears pierced," the son shouted in the clip.

TikTok / @iamnugget770

As the situation became increasingly chaotic, Sherland's wife rushed towards the officers and repeatedly questioned their presence in their house.

She demanded an explanation for her husband's arrest and asked them to provide a valid reason for their actions.
 
As the officers escorted Sherland out of the house, family members followed behind, with a woman in the video shouting, "It takes three cops, four cops, coming into my house with no permission. No permission and busted in my front door."

As the officers were handling his father, Sherland's son asked them, "Why are you doing this?" in a perplexed tone.

In addition to the charge of performing body art on a minor, Sherland was also charged with endangering the welfare of a minor, refusing to submit to arrest, and obstructing governmental operations.

According to records, he spent two nights in the Washington County jail before being released on a $1,500 (£1,200) bond.