Grand Rapids Settles Lawsuit Over Handcuffing of 11-Year-Old Girl

City to pay $285,000 to family of Honestie Hodges, who died at 14 from COVID-19 complications

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:23am

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The city of Grand Rapids, Michigan has agreed to pay $285,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed by the family of Honestie Hodges, who was handcuffed by police at the age of 11 while they were searching for a domestic assault suspect. Hodges tragically passed away at the age of 14 in 2020 due to complications from COVID-19.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about police treatment of minors, particularly children of color, and the lasting trauma that can result from aggressive law enforcement tactics. It also comes amid a broader national reckoning over police brutality and accountability.

The details

In 2017, when Honestie Hodges was 11 years old, Grand Rapids police officers responded to a domestic assault call and encountered Hodges, who they handcuffed, held at gunpoint, and placed in a police cruiser, despite her young age and the fact that she was not a suspect. Hodges' family later filed a federal lawsuit alleging that she suffered 'serious mental anguish, anxiety, emotional distress, a sense of outrage, loss of social pleasure and enjoyment, and death' as a result of the incident.

  • The incident with Honestie Hodges occurred in 2017 when she was 11 years old.
  • Honestie Hodges tragically passed away in 2020 at the age of 14 due to complications from COVID-19.

The players

Honestie Hodges

An 11-year-old girl who was handcuffed by Grand Rapids police in 2017 while they were searching for a domestic assault suspect. Hodges later died at age 14 from COVID-19 complications.

City of Grand Rapids

The city government that has agreed to pay $285,000 to settle the federal lawsuit filed by Honestie Hodges' family over the 2017 incident.

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What’s next

The settlement agreement still needs to be finalized and approved by the Grand Rapids City Commission.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for continued reforms to ensure police treat minors, especially children of color, with greater care and sensitivity, and that departments are held accountable for traumatic incidents involving young people.