A parolee from Waterbury has been charged risk of injury to a minor, unlawful restraint and breach of peace after police say he grabbed a 3-year-old boy who was walking with the boy’s mother in Bristol.
John Brasseur, 50, was held on $25,000 bail for arraignment Monday in Superior Court in Bristol. The Department of Adult Probation also ordered him back into custody.
Police were called Friday by the mother, who described the incident that occurred on Prospect Street. She told police she was walking with the 3-year-old and another child when Brasseur approached, asked the mother what she was doing with his baby, then grabbed the 3-year-old by the arm, pulled him and started to walk off.
The mother grabbed her son back and walked away with both of her children. She then went home and called police.
Police checked the area and several people were able to give police the man’s name. Police checked the name and learned he was on parole. Wolcott police found the man, detained him and turned him over to Bristol police.
Brasseur told police he didn’t remember the incident because he has Alzheimer’s. His mother is standing by her son.
“He says he didn’t do it,” Priscilla Brasseur said. “He said he was just talking to the kid. He loves kids.”
Brasseur’s case was continued until June 4. Police said he has no prior arrests related to children.