Two juveniles charged in string of violent incidents

Two of the teens allegedly involved in the roving group of youngsters terrorizing downtown were arraigned in juvenile court.

Both of the children are 13 years old, but other identifying information is unknown because they are minors.

The two were arraigned on various assault charges Monday

in Suffolk County Juvenile Court in Boston before Judge Peter Coyne. One of them faces 14 counts from nine different incidents and was held on $5,000 bail, and the other faces nine counts from five incidents and was held on $3,500 bail.

The pair are the only scheduled arraignments in a string of recent acts of violence throughout the city allegedly perpetrated by children. Authorities are bound by the ages of the children — at least one is as young as 11 — in what response they can take.

Legislators passed a comprehensive criminal justice reform bill in 2018 that, in part, raised the minimum age to be considered a “delinquent child” and under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court system from seven to 12 years old.

A lead sponsor of that legislation, state Sen. William Brownsberger, a Democrat who represents the Second District of Suffolk and Middlesex counties, did not immediately return a request for comment on how the law should apply in this case of someone younger than 12 repeatedly accused of assaults in Boston.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden told the Herald last week that the legislation is complicating law enforcement efforts to respond to these crimes. Mayor Michelle Wu said the city is looking to put “accountability measures” in place to give young people the support they need to prevent future instances of violence.

“These are children who need support and services and they’re connected to adults who also need some accountability,” Wu said.

Wu’s office told the Herald Tuesday that they have no further comment on the matter than what Wu said on Friday.