Six youths now charged in attack on autistic teen

Two more boys turned themselves in to Windsor police Wednesday in connection to an alleged assault on an autistic teen outside Devonshire Mall.

Police said the boys — aged 12 and 13 — have been charged with assault causing bodily harm. A 16-year-old autistic boy was attacked by a large group of youths at a bus stop outside Devonshire Mall just before 8 p.m. on March 9.

The attack was captured on video taken by onlookers at the scene.

The group allegedly confronted the teen, chased, punched and kicked him before fleeing. He was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The mother of the teen appealed to the attackers through the media to turn themselves in.

“I would really like for these kids to just come forward, so that my son can have closure,” the mother told the Windsor Star.

“He doesn't want to be a victim. He's not a victim. He's a survivor.”

The Star is not publishing the name of the mother or her son to protect their identities.

The attack came as her son stood alone for a few minutes waiting for the bus, she said. A friend of the boy was with him at the mall but took a different bus home that was going in a different direction, so her son was alone for a few minutes.

The Grade 11 student has been taking the bus to and from school to gain his independence, the mother said.

A total of six suspects have now been charged with assault causing bodily harm. They range in age from 12 to 14 years old.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the major crimes unit at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at catchcrooks.com.