Boston man accused of attempting to place chemical-laced handkerchief over boy’s mouth

A 69-year-old man is accused of approaching a boy on a road nook and attempting to place a chemical-laced handkerchief over the boy’s mouth.

Dorchester man Willie Cowart has been charged with attempting to put a handkerchief soaked with an unknown liquid over the 14-year-old boy’s mouth.

Boston and MBTA Police responded to an assault and battery name on the nook of Dudley and Washington streets in Roxbury final Monday at 12:21 p.m.

Officers spoke to the boy who instructed them he was ready for his brother to select him up when an older man carrying a Hawaiian shirt approached him, poured an unknown liquid on a pink handkerchief, and tried to place the handkerchief over his mouth.

The boy fled to the Nubian Sq. bus station and contacted police.

Shortly after, officers on Dudley Avenue noticed a person — later recognized as Cowart — carrying a Hawaiian shirt and carrying a pink handkerchief. Cowart, who was sweating profusely, denied realizing the boy or having any interplay with him.

The boy positively recognized Cowart throughout a show-up process. The boy was evaluated on scene by Boston EMS.

Officers searched Cowart’s automobile and located a number of chemical cleansing brokers contained in the automotive.

Police arrested Cowart with out incident.

“This is a strange, and extremely disturbing, set of facts,” Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden stated in an announcement. “It doesn’t take much imagination to appreciate how frightening it was for this young man to be standing on a street corner and suddenly be accosted in such a bizarre manner. I’m grateful that he suffered no apparent injuries.”