Idaho sheriff apologizes after photos show teens zip-tied during raid

Authorities confronted with evidence of damage to wrists of 14-year-old girl during federal operation

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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An Idaho sheriff was forced to apologize after being presented with photographic evidence showing a 14-year-old girl's wrists bruised from being zip-tied during a federal immigration raid at a horse racing event. The sheriff had initially denied that children were restrained, but was confronted with the damning photos that contradicted his claims.

Why it matters

The incident has raised concerns about the use of excessive force and the treatment of children during immigration enforcement actions, with the ACLU filing a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of affected families.

The details

During the October raid at La Catedral Arena, federal agents descended in a show of military force, traumatizing families, many of them U.S. citizens. Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue initially denied that children were restrained with plastic cuffs, but was then presented with photographic evidence showing the bruised wrists of 14-year-old SueHey, a U.S. citizen who was zip-tied while watching her younger siblings.

  • The raid took place in October 2026.
  • The sheriff was confronted with the photographic evidence in February 2026.

The players

Kieran Donahue

The Canyon County Sheriff who initially denied that children were zip-tied during the federal raid, but was later forced to apologize after being presented with photographic evidence.

SueHey

A 14-year-old U.S. citizen who was zip-tied during the federal raid at La Catedral Arena.

Anabel Romero

SueHey's mother, who described armed men threatening her when she asked what agency they represented.

Nikki Ramirez-Smith

A local immigration lawyer who believes law enforcement misjudged the event because it was in Spanish.

ACLU

The civil rights organization that filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the affected families.

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What they’re saying

“God bless her. I'm sorry she went through that,”

— Kieran Donahue, Canyon County Sheriff

“I'm gonna [expletive] blow your head off.”

— Armed officer (CBS News)

“They kicked me, they punched me, they stepped on me.”

— Anabel Romero, SueHey's mother (CBS News)

What’s next

The ACLU has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of the affected families, and the incident has raised broader concerns about the use of excessive force and the treatment of children during immigration enforcement actions.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability in immigration enforcement operations, particularly when it comes to the treatment of children and U.S. citizens caught up in these actions. It also underscores the importance of transparency and the need for law enforcement to be truthful about their actions, even when confronted with damning evidence.