Man allegedly assaulted girl in Boston Museum of Science bathroom

BOSTON – A Somerville man is accused of attacking a 15-year-old girl in a restroom at the Museum of Science. The alleged attack occurred on Sunday, October 6th.

Yandri Hernandez, 24, is charged with child abduction, strangulation or suffocation, and assault and battery. He is being held without bail.

The victim said she entered the restroom on the first floor of the museum and her friend waited outside. She told police that as she left a stall to wash her hands, she felt a hand cup her face and cover her mouth.

The victim told police the man didn’t say anything but tried to hold her back. She could scream and run out of the bathroom. Investigators said Hernandez walked out of the restroom immediately after the victim and fled.

The video shows a man standing in front of the toilet for an hour

According to the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office, video shows a man, later identified as Hernandez, sitting in a lobby for about an hour Sunday morning before entering the restroom.

Photos of the suspect were shared with local law enforcement. The next day, Cambridge police were able to identify the man as Hernandez based on a tattoo on his left forearm. He was spotted and arrested in Somerville on Tuesday.

“This is a horrific incident for anyone, especially a teenager just enjoying a trip with a friend to a popular destination,” said Suffolk Country District Attorney Kevin Hayden. “This young woman’s description of her attacker, as well as world-class identification work based on the images disseminated by investigators, led to the defendant being discovered and arrested just days after the incident.”

Hernandez is due back in court on Friday for a dangerousness hearing.

In a statement, the Museum of Science said it is taking several steps to create a safe environment for members and guests. “We are grateful for the efforts of our own internal public safety team, combined with law enforcement, who were able to quickly identify the individual involved,” a museum spokesperson said.