CHARLESTOWN – A man accused of attacking a teenage girl in a bathroom at the Boston Museum of Science was deemed too dangerous to be released from prison on Friday.
Yandri Hernandez, 24, is charged with kidnapping of a child, strangulation or suffocation, and assault and battery in the Sunday afternoon incident.
CBS Boston
Accused of assaulting a teenager
Prosecutors said Hernandez hid in a stall in a women’s restroom at the museum and approached the 15-year-old girl from behind as she was washing her hands. He allegedly covered her mouth with his hand, but she screamed and managed to get away. A witness in the bathroom said she heard an “argument” and saw Hernandez’s sneakers under the stall, saying they were too big to belong to a woman.
Hernandez reportedly left the museum after the attack, but police said they were able to find him using surveillance footage that showed a clear tattoo on his arm. Police said he is homeless and known.
Suspected in several cases
Prosecutors say Hernandez has been a suspect in several cases this year, including unarmed robberies and car burglaries.
Hernandez’s attorney argued that “a temporary restraint” was not enough to charge him with kidnapping and referred to the teenage girl telling police he was only “trying” to kidnap her.
He is due back in court on November 8 for a hearing.
In a statement, the Museum of Science said: “The Museum of Science is taking multiple steps to create a safe environment for our members and guests. We are grateful for the efforts of our own internal public safety team, combined with law enforcement officials, who were able to quickly identify the individual involved.”
Jordyn Jagolinzer
