Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog
In Massachusetts, David J. Privette, the man accused of using cigarettes to burn the genitals of a 7-year-old boy, has now been charged by Middleborough police with two counts of indecent assault and battery and mayhem. The child, who is the son of Privette’s girlfriend, may be permanently injured from the repeated burns.
Privette, 22, also allegedly beat the boy with a belt and urinated on his head.
Privette has denied the allegations. The charges that had initially been filed against him were two counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon and assault and battery on a child.
DSS officials had been aware of neglect occurring to the boy as early as 2002 and had been to the boy’s home four times since the boy’s school filed a physical abuse report on December 19.
They did not inform police until this week-after a nurse at the boy’s school found burn marks on his pelvis, genitals, and buttocks.
Privette began dating the boy’s mother, Michelle Henry, several months ago.
A nurse at the boy’s school had called the DSS in December and case workers spoke to the boy’s family. The school called the DSS on March after the boy told a teacher that he didn’t want to go home because Privette had burned his private parts with a cigarette.
The DSS finally contacted the Plymouth district attorney’s office after the nurse at the boy’s school filed a third report that the boy was being abused.
Privette says he was not at the boy’s home when the abuse took place.
Police file new charges in Middleborough child abuse case, Boston.com, March 20, 2008
New charges against man accused of burning boy with cigarettes, BostonHerald.com, March 20, 2008
Related Web Resource:
Massachusetts General Laws
If you have been arrested for any crime in Massachusetts, you should contact our Boston, Massachusetts criminal defense law firm for a free case evaluation. A good Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer can defend you against the charges and protect your legal rights. Contact Altman & Altman LLP today.
