Somerville Man Accused in Museum of Science Bathroom Assault

A Somerville man, identified as Yandri Hernandez, has been accused of attacking a 15-year-old girl in a bathroom at the Museum of Science in Boston. The alleged incident occurred on Sunday, October 6. Hernandez, aged 24, faces charges of kidnapping a child, strangulation or suffocation, and assault and battery. He is currently held without bail, awaiting a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Friday.

According to reports from the Suffolk District Attorney‘s office, the victim entered the bathroom located on the museum’s first level while her friend remained outside. She informed the police that upon leaving the stall to wash her hands, a hand covered her mouth from behind. Initially believing it to be her friend, she realized it was an unfamiliar man who attempted to restrain her. The victim managed to scream and escape the bathroom.

Video surveillance captured Hernandez sitting in a lobby near the bathroom for approximately an hour before the alleged assault. Hernandez left the bathroom immediately after the victim and fled the scene. Photos of the suspect were distributed to local police departments. The next day, Cambridge Police identified Hernandez through a tattoo on his left forearm and he was arrested in Somerville on Tuesday.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden commented on the incident, “This is a terrifying incident for anyone, particularly for a teenager simply enjoying an outing with a friend at a popular destination. The young woman’s description of her attacker, along with the top-notch identification work based on the images disseminated by investigators, led to Hernandez being identified and arrested just days after the incident.”

In response, the Museum of Science issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to maintaining a safe environment for visitors. A museum spokesperson stated, “We are grateful for the efforts of our own internal public safety team, combined with law enforcement officials, who were able to quickly identify the involved individual.”

The Massachusetts State Police were initially alerted to the assault at approximately 12:41 p.m. on Sunday. A witness in the bathroom reported unusual activity, noting the presence of black-and-white sneakers in an adjoining stall, which appeared large for a female and inconsistent with normal circumstances. The witness also recalled hearing muffled screams and a physical confrontation.

Hernandez’s case has been closely followed by local media, given the severity of the charges and the popular venue where the incident occurred. The Museum of Science remains open to visitors, with increased vigilance from both museum security and law enforcement agencies as the investigation continues.