Judge orders Dorchester kidnapping suspect to undergo mental evaluation

A Boston man facing kidnapping and assault charges was ordered to undergo a 20-day mental evaluation after police said he walked up to a home on the Fourth of July, grabbed a child by the back of the neck, and tried to drag the boy to the street.

Manuel Cardoso, 44, was charged with assault and battery on a child under 14 and kidnapping following the incident on Thursday afternoon, police said.

Cardoso was not visible in court for his arraignment on Friday. A doctor who assessed him addressed the court instead.

“At this time, it is my opinion he requires further evaluation to stand trial,” the doctor told the judge, indicating Cardoso was injured in the alleged kidnapping.

“He really can’t have any coherent conversation at this time,” she said. “He has serious facial injuries, and I don’t know if that’s affecting his mental status.”

In court Friday, the doctor told the judge Cardoso suffered from lead poisoning as a child. She noted he had a history of mental illness and a record of past criminal activity, though she did not elaborate.

“I’m going to recommend the strict security of the Bridgewater State Hospital given the facts of this case and his substantial criminal history,” the doctor told the judge, who agreed.

Officers arrested Cardoso around 4:13 p.m. Thursday, after responding to Wentworth Street for a report of a suspicious person.

Witnesses told police that there was a gathering at a home and an unknown man, later identified as Cardoso, walked up the driveway. He then tried to urinate on the side of the house and began talking with a few children.

Witnesses told police the suspect, who was not known to the people at the home, was asked to leave the area.

He then grabbed a child by the back of the neck, and tried to drag him towards the street, police said.

“The suspect had to be physically removed from the property and he fled the scene,” police said in a statement on Friday.

With the suspect’s description, officers later found Cardoso in the area of Darlington Street, and arrested him, police said.

Cardoso’s next court hearing is scheduled for July 19th, at which time he could be formally arraigned on charges of kidnapping and assault and battery on a child under the age of 14.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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