Boys, 13 and 14, accused of beating of mentally disabled man

NEWARK, Del. - Two Delaware teens, ages 13 and 14, have been arrested in the beating of a mentally disabled man, reports CBS Philly.

The unidentified suspects were taken into custody after they showed up at New Castle County police headquarters to complain about being harassed when their contact information was posted to social media, along with a video of the assault, authorities said Monday.

Police arrested the boys, both of Newark, Del., on Saturday. They were charged with offensive touching, assault of a vulnerable adult, and conspiracy. They were released on bonds of $2,500 after being arraigned. Officers say they believe the video is several weeks old, but are actively investigating.

Their names were not released.

A teenage source who was allegedly in the video told CBS Philly that he helped file a report in the case. "The right thing to do was call the cops," said the teen. "If you beat up a mentally disabled person, you should be locked away for good."

The source said the attack took place in the woods near the Newark YMCA, according to the station.

The teens were arrested after they and their parents went to the police station to complain about threatening phone calls they received as a result of their personal information being shared on social media with a video of the assault, New Castle Officer Tracey Duffy said Monday.

She said their complaints triggered an investigation that led to police finding and viewing the video, which shows a 26-year-old mentally disabled man being body-slammed to the ground, stomped on and repeatedly punched in the head while pleading with his attackers, begging them to stop.

The victim's family told CBS Philly that the video left them speechless.

"I think [the suspects] were bullies to be beating on people like that," said Winter Brooks, the victim's younger sister. She said her brother suffers from a developmental disorder called Williams syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder.

Police said they are still conducting interviews and that more arrests are possible.