BOSTON — A Boston man was taken into custody Thursday after allegedly assaulting and attempting to kidnap a child during a July 4 gathering in Dorchester.
Boston Police Department officers from District B-3 responded to a call at approximately 4:13 p.m. regarding a suspicious person on Wentworth Street.
Witnesses reported that an unidentified man, later identified as 44-year-old Manuel Cardoso, attempted to urinate beside a house before initiating conversation with several children.
Authorities said Cardoso was asked to leave but instead grabbed a child by the neck and tried to pull him towards the street.
The assailant was forcibly removed from the property by bystanders and fled the scene.
Following a description provided by witnesses, police located Cardoso on 21 Darlington Street.
He was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a child under 14 and kidnapping.
Cardoso is scheduled to be arraigned at Dorchester District Court.
The identity of the child involved has not been released, and further details regarding their condition have not been disclosed.
