A Bronx man faces multiple charges in connection with the alleged assault of a 13-year-old boy

Bronx, New York – Ishmael Francis, a 29-year-old Bronx resident, has been charged with serious charges, including two counts each of second-degree rape and third-degree rape, following an incident that occurred on the night of September 18, 2024. The charges also include sexual misconduct, endangering the welfare of a child and grand larceny in the fourth degree.

According to District Attorney Clark, Francis allegedly engaged in an online conversation with a 13-year-old boy that led to a physical encounter during which he is accused of assaulting the boy in a stairwell after he waited for him to leave his apartment to take out the trash. . The report shows that the incident occurred around 11 p.m. After the attack, Francis allegedly stole the victim’s cell phone and fled when the boy’s family began looking for him.

The victim immediately returned to his apartment, where the family called 911. He was then taken to New York Health + Hospitals Jacobi for treatment. The perpetrator was identified via digital communication and arrested on September 24, 2024.

During today’s hearing before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Shari Michels, Francis was granted further supervised release and is scheduled to return to court on January 7, 2025.

“This defendant is accused of terrible acts against a child who suffered greatly,” District Attorney Clark said. “We want to ensure justice for this young victim and provide him with all the support he needs to help him recover from this trauma.”

The case has sparked widespread concerns about the safety of minors online, prompting local authorities to review and possibly improve protective measures for children in digital spaces. Community leaders have called for increased awareness and preventive education on how to protect children online.