Bronx family suing NYPD after officers allegedly beat autistic teenage son

FORDHAM (WABC) -- A Bronx family is suing the NYPD after they say three officers roughed up their autistic teenage son for no reason.

"I feel a little nervous about the cops," Troy Canalis said. "I still remember that day when it happened."

Canalis has been in therapy for nearly a year. The autistic teen is trying to come to terms with being roughed up allegedly by police.

He says he was leaning against a car when three NYPD officers demanded to know what he was doing.

"One cop grabbed my arm, the other grabbed my other arm and threw me to the ground," he said. "I hit the concrete floor hard. One cop punched me in my face. They dragged me and put me in the police car and put the handcuffs on."

Troy was 17 years old when he was confronted by police outside his home in the Fordham section of the Bronx last November.

His family says he suffered bumps and bruises from that altercation.

"I was like, 'What's going on? My son is autistic, what did he do? Why are you arresting him?'" mom Alyson Aulet-Valentine said. "They said, 'Get back, get back, we'll tell you in a minute.'"

Canalis has the mental capacity of a fifth grader. He's friendly but does not make eye contact with people, and gets tongue tied, especially if he's being yelled at.

"He was terrified," attorney Carmen Giodino said. "They ultimately released him without charging him, but with no explanation either. One of the officers said he feared for his life."

Troy's parents are suing the NYPD in federal court seeking monetary damages.

"They're supposed to help us," Troy Canalis said. "But those cops that did that to me. I don't think I can trust them."

The city Law Department could only say this is an active case and it is currently under review.

Canalis' family is hoping for better training for officers on how to deal with people who have developmental delays.