A Texas father who was accused of theft after he confiscated his 12-year-old daughter's mobile phone over an inappropriate text has been acquitted of the misdemeanour charge.

A judge in Dallas found Ronald Jackson not guilty, citing insufficient evidence. Grand Prairie police arrested Mr Jackson a few hours after he commandeered his daughter's mobile phone and refused to return it. The 36-year-old father said a text he found on the phone was rude.

The girl's mother said she owns the mobile phone and reported the confiscation as theft. Mr Jackson posted bail to get out of jail but later received a posted citation for theft. He refused to pay.

The father went to court and successfully fought the citation involving his now-15-year-old daughter. Mr Jackson also kept the mobile phone.

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