Three teenagers in Massachusetts have been charged with assault and battery for allegedly attacking a transgender boy in a wooded area during a party in Gloucester. Police conducted a months-long investigation and filed charges against two 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old. While the incident involved the use of anti-LGBTQ slurs, the evidence did not support hate crime charges. The victim, 16-year-old Jayden Tkaczyk, suffered a broken nose and other injuries during the assault. He knew his alleged attackers from playing football together at Gloucester High School. Jayden reported that the attackers used derogatory language towards him while beating and stomping him. The victim’s mother, Jasmine Tkaczyk, shared details of the attack in a now-deleted Facebook post. The charged teens will undergo a hearing to determine if there is probable cause for the charges to proceed. Gloucester Police Chief Edward Conley emphasized that the investigation was thorough and compassionate in determining the charges. Jayden’s experience highlights the ongoing issue of violence against transgender individuals and the importance of addressing discrimination and hate crimes.
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Three teenagers facing charges for allegedly assaulting transgender Massachusetts boy
