DA: Man hit neighbor with vehicle, cut her with box cutter

A Haverhill man was held without bail Thursday after he was accused of hitting a neighbor twice with his vehicle and then stabbing her as she and her pregnant daughter were out walking their dogs.

Haverhill District Court Judge Cesar Archilla entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of Jake Kavanaugh, 23, to charges of armed assault with intent to murder; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; assault and battery, causing serious bodily injury; mayhem; and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

His attorney, Tim Connors, agreed that Kavanaugh be held without bail for dangerousness, and at Connors’ request, he will undergo an evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital to determine whether he is competent to stand trial.

“The facts of this case are horrific,” Assistant District Attorney John DePaulo said.

A 54-year-old woman and her 26-year-old daughter, who is five months pregnant, were out walking their dogs around 4 p.m. Wednesday on Fairview Farm Road, DePaulo said.

“He hit the mother with his vehicle, actually turned the vehicle around, hit the mother a second time, attacked her with a box cutter, cut her (in) both of the eyes, cut her neck, severe cuts to the neck,” he said. “These are lifethreatening injuries in a Boston hospital, being treated as we speak.”

“I can’t understand how anyone could do something like that,” said David Amedeo, who lives on the same road. “We’re praying for our neighbor.”

Police are still trying to determine whether there’s a motive or if this was a random attack, DePaulo said.

“They know him a bit,” DePaulo said of the victim and her daughter. “He lives in the neighborhood.”

Kavanaugh is due back in court on April 9.