Victim’s mother among 12 charged in 13-year-old’s assault in New London

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) – New London police say the mother and aunt of a 13-year-old assault victim join 10 juveniles being charged with organizing and executing the assault.

Police said they started investigating the assault when they received video circulating on social media back on April 30 showing a juvenile girl being assaulted by a family member and the victim’s boyfriend.

After what police called a lengthy investigation, they determined the assault happened around 6 p.m. on April 29, in the parking lot of the O’Reilly Auto Parts store on Coleman Street.

The victim’s aunt- Keosha Muriel, 29- and a group of ten juveniles were seen on video either assaulting the victim or observing the assault “over an extended period of time.”

Police said the victim’s mother- Idinah Muriel, 32- was also on scene and was found to have been involved in its planning.

Ten juveniles spanning the age of 12 to 15 were summoned to appear in juvenile court, according to police.

The juveniles face a variety of charges, including risk of injury to a minor, first-degree unlawful restraint, fourth-degree sexual assault, second-degree strangulation, and more.

Police arrested the adults on May 6. They were both held on $100,000 cash/surety bonds and appeared in New London court on May 6.

The aunt, Keosha Muriel, was charged with cruelty to persons, risk of injury, third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, first-degree unlawful restraint, and second-degree reckless endangerment.

The mother, Idinah Muriel, was charged with cruelty to persons, risk of injury, second-degree reckless endangerment, conspiracy of assault, second-degree conspiracy of BOP, and first-degree conspiracy of unlawful restraint.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the New London Police Department at 860-447-5269, ext. 0 or anonymously through the New London Tips 411 system.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.