NRT briefing
Autistic teen lured to fake Snapchat meetup, brutally beaten by group of teens: report
Based on reporting by Fox News.
The Brief
Three teenage boys have been charged after a 15-year-old boy with autism was brutally beaten and robbed near a train station in Stawell, Australia, on Oct. 5. The attack, captured on video, occurred after the victim was reportedly lured to the area via a Snapchat meetup arranged with two girls, according to Australian news outlet news.com.au.
Victoria Police said detectives charged one 14-year-old boy and two 15-year-old boys following an investigation that included four search warrants. All three face charges of affray, robbery, recklessly causing injury, and theft, and are expected to appear in a children's court at a later date. A fourth boy is to be interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
The victim, who also has epilepsy, suffered soft tissue injuries and possible head injuries. His mother said doctors were conducting additional scans to check for brain bleeding, adding, "I'm just lucky to have him alive. ... He's having nightmares." The boy has since returned home but is afraid to go outside.
Superintendent Dan Davison said there is "never any excuse for violence in our community" and that additional patrols will take place across Stawell as detectives continue investigating the isolated incident.