NEWARK, N.Y. (WROC) — Four people were arrested in connection to a video clip online that showed a group of people beating up a teenager, according to officials from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office says two 18-year-olds and two juveniles worked together to assault and rob a 16-year-old. Police say they attacked him, took his shoes and his mobile phone.
According to law enforcement:
- Jordan Drechsler, 18 of Newark, is charged with fourth-degree conspiracy and endangering the welfare of a child. He was released on appearance tickets and is due to appear in court at a later date.
- Thomas Eaves, 18 of Geneva is charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree conspiracy, third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and petit larceny.
- Two juveniles — one from Canandaigua and one from Rochester — were charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree conspiracy, third-degree assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Shannon Davenport told News 8 on Wednesday that her autistic son — Caleb — was beaten up in Newark last week, leaving him unconscious on the trail. A concussion so bad, that he had to be treated at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
“A couple of these individuals pretended to be his friends, you know, called him down there. So now he’s got trust issues with everybody,” Davenport said. “He erased all his social platforms and he’s just taking it easy right now and taking it day by day.”
Reacting to the arrests on Friday, she says, “We were ecstatic that it happened so fast.” But that she says, turned to outrage. “These individuals identified as ‘gang members,’ and they were not charged as a gang.”
Also, those arrested have been released on appearance tickets, with the exception of Eaves who was released on a $2,500 bail. “Due to bail reform, these kids are back out on the streets,” she says.
Her son she says, is still reluctant to go out. The lingering trauma — very real. “It’s already affecting his sleep, it’s affecting his daily routine…”
But out of something so evil, says Davenport, is coming some good.
Caleb is finding he’s not alone. “He’s actually found friends through this. Friends that, children that — have been victims of the same (type of) assault”
Authorities said this attack was the only reported incident along the canal path in the Newark area.
Check back with News 8 WROC as we will continue to update this developing story.