The family of a Texas teen who was handcuffed and hauled out of school for bringing a homemade clock to class is exploring their legal options.
On Wednesday a lawyer for the family called the handling of 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed “deplorable.”
“He’s not associated with any terrorist group, and it’s outrageous for people to even insinuate that, or say anything negative about this young man,” attorney Thomas Bowers told reporters.
“And we will be looking into possible action against any individual who has said anything like that.”
A lawsuit could be filed as early as next week, however it’s not clear if the Irving Independent School District or Irving Police Department will be named in the suit.
On Sept. 14 Mohamed brought his homemade clock to the Irvine, Texas school, eager to show off his work to his engineering teacher. Later his English teacher saw the clock, heard it beep, and feared it may be a bomb.
READ MORE: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak shares story of being arrested for a fake bomb in high school
The situation made headlines after the 14-year-old was called to the principle’s office before being lead out of the school by multiple police officers. He was then suspended from school for three days.
Pictures of the baby-faced Muslim teen wearing a NASA shirt and in handcuffs has sparked a debate over racial profiling.
Since the incident, Mohamed has received support from many new friends in high places, including U.S. President Barack Obama, who invited him to bring his “cool clock” to the White House.
Mohamed has also visited Google headquarters, and is set to meet with United Nations dignitaries.
The local police chief has said the handling of the case was under review, but added that officers were justified in handcuffing and questioning Mohamed considering the limited information they were given.
The teen was never charged.
He and his siblings have since been pulled out of the school by their parents, and the family plans to get the clock back from police.
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