Danvers police arrest a teen for allegedly attacking a developmentally disabled man

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with an attack that occurred last weekend at a Danvers park involving a resident who has developmental delays, an incident that has sparked sharp reactions in the city.

Danvers police arrested the suspect around 1:30 p.m., one day less than a week after the attack last Saturday in the area of ​​Holten Richmond Middle School and Plains Park.

Officers have charged the youth twice with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, assault and battery to intimidate on the basis of disability, and assault and battery on a person with an intellectual disability.

“The Danvers Police Department continues to work closely with the Essex County District Attorney’s Office on this active and ongoing investigation,” police said in a social media post Friday. “To preserve the integrity of the investigation and because it involves juveniles, no additional details can be released at this time.”

Officers responded to a reported assault last Saturday around 4:20 p.m. and found a victim, later identified as Chris “Ducky” Anderson, 43, injured. Emergency workers took the man to Beverly Hospital for evaluation before he was later released.

“I was terrified for them, those kids,” Anderson told the Select Board during a meeting Tuesday. “I want you to know that with all my heart. It just breaks my heart every day, and I can’t sleep… Can you please do more for me?’

Residents echoed Anderson’s experiences and concerns with unruly children. Business owners also told the Select Board that the out-of-control behavior is impacting their businesses, and called for an increased police presence.

Anderson’s mother, Antoinette Anderson, emphasized that she has had “many encounters” with the teens, whom she called a “bunch of thugs.” Interactions include children giving her the middle finger and yelling at her as she drives past them, she said.

“I’m sick to death of it,” Anderson said. ‘If they damn near kill my son, who wouldn’t harm a flea, I’ve had it this far. I want something to be done about them. Believe me when I tell you that I have already hired a lawyer, and I will sue them for every cent they will ever make.

Select Board Chairman Daniel Bennett apologized to Chris Anderson for the experience he had endured. Bennett said he will ask the police chief next month to address the board about his plans to combat the rowdy behavior.

“The action of a group of young people, as reported to me, is the most concerning,” Bennett said, reading from an email he sent to a concerned mother. “Trust this administration to take this violation seriously, and we will direct our police department to take all necessary steps to contain these bizarre incidents.”