‘Something was off’: Neighbor recalls accused kidnapping suspect’s strange behavior

DORCHESTER – A man facing charges of kidnapping and assault and battery on a child has been ordered to undergo a 20-day mental evaluation at the Bridgewater State Hospital.

Police arrested Manuel Cardoso, 44, of Boston on Thursday afternoon, not long after they say he attempted to take a child from the driveway of a home on Wentworth Street in Dorchester. Cardoso was arrested less than half a mile away after police say others intervened to help the child, and Cardoso ran away.

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

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

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

Police say Cardoso walked up to a home on Wentworth Street a little after 4:00 in the afternoon on the July 4th holiday and attempted to urinate on the side of the home. They say he then approached several children and began speaking with them. When asked to leave, he reportedly grabbed one of the boys by the neck and began dragging him toward the street, at which point others intervened.

“Something was off,” neighbor Jackie told Boston 25 News. Jackie requested her full name and face not be used.

“He was out here dancing,” Jackie said. “He looked super sloppy, super drunk.”

Jackie said the suspect first approached her own children as they were playing in the front yard.

“He was trying to interact with my children,” Jackie said, adding the man walked away when she came to take the children inside.

“Two houses down, and that’s when he snatched up another child,” Jackie said.

The boy was reportedly doing okay and with his family.

In court Friday, Dr. Johnson 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,” Dr. Johnson told the judge, who agreed.

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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