From DA Kevin Hayden’s Office
A Dorchester man was arraigned and ordered held on bail revocation yesterday on charges that he attacked and strangled two juvenile girls in a Talbot Street apartment on Friday, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
MICHAEL FAIRWEATHER, 36, was charged in Dorchester BMC with assault and battery (subsequent offense), two counts of assault and battery on a child causing injury, and two counts of strangulation. Judge Thomas Kaplanes ordered Fairweather’s bail on an earlier assault case involving the same juveniles revoked for 90 days, plus $300 bail on the new case. Fairweather will return to court January 17 for a pre-trial hearing.
Boston police at 8:27 p.m. Friday responded to a Talbot Street apartment for a 911 domestic incident call and were met by three juvenile girls, who told them that Fairweather had attacked them. One of the girls, 12, said Fairweather had choked her and that another girl, 14, had intervened. Fairweather then attacked the 14-year-old, choking her and spitting on her repeatedly. The attacks occurred in front of the third juvenile, a four-year-old girl. Officers observed mild redness, swelling and a scratch on the 14-year-old victim’s neck.
The victims identified Fairweather and provided a description of his clothing.
At about 11:12 p.m. Friday, police received a 911 call from the same apartment. The caller said that Fairweather, who had fled from the scene after the attacks, had returned. Police responded and arrested Fairweather.
Hayden said the Suffolk County Children’s Advocacy Center has interviewers and advocates specially trained to handle cases involving juvenile victims.
“Nothing can erase memories of terrible events like this, but we can and will provide these victims with comprehensive services in a comforting, age-appropriate environment staffed by professionals trained to work with young victims and witnesses,” Hayden said.
The victims of any crime, including domestic violence, should call 911 in an emergency. SafeLink, a statewide DV hotline, can be reached at 877-785-2020. SafeLink is answer by trained advocates 24 hours a day in English, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as TTY at 877-521-2601. It also has the capacity to provide multilingual translation in more than 140 languages.
Help is also available for members of our LGBTQ+ community experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence through The Network/La Red by calling 617-742-4911 or 800-832-1901.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
