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Items used with a TASER stun gun are displayed during a convention in Atlantic City, N.J., Friday, April 26, 2006. (AP Photo/Mary Godleski)

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Teen recovering from stun gun injury

Updated: Saturday, 04 Jul 2009, 1:30 PM MDT
Published : Saturday, 04 Jul 2009, 1:30 PM MDT

    TUCUMCARI, N.M. (AP) - Authorities say a teenage girl is recovering at an Albuquerque hospital after being shot in the head with an electronic stun gun by Tucumcari's police chief.

    Stacy Akin says she and her 14-year-old daughter were arguing over a cell phone Thursday and she drove her daughter to the Tucumcari Police Department to seek help.

    While in front of police headquarters, the girl ran off and was later found at a park by Chief Roger Hatcher.

    Hatcher says he got out of his vehicle and called to her but she ran in front of his patrol car across a street without looking for traffic.

    Hatcher says he tried to catch up to the girl by foot but couldn't and believes he had no other option than to fire a Taser dart to stop her.

    Akin says the dart entered her daughter's skull and she remains in pediatric intensive care after undergoing surgery Friday morning at University of New Mexico hospital.

    The girl's parents now are questioning whether excessive force was used by police and whether the department should review its policy on electronic stun guns.

    However, Hatcher says he plans to refer the case to the Juvenile Probation Office on Monday for possible charges.

    Information from: Clovis News Journal, http://www.cnjonline.com

    Copyright Associated Press, Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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