MANCHESTER, NH – A city man is accused of punching a woman and her toddler after a confrontation at Victory Park on Thursday.
Samuel Yancey, 36, of Manchester, was charged with felony second-degree assault and simple assault (a misdemeanor) after his arrest on May 21.
According to a police narrative, Officer Derek Feather was working a private construction detail at the corner of Chestnut and Amherst streets at approximately 1 p.m. when he heard a disturbance in the area of Victory Park.
Officer Feather could not hear the exchange of words but recognized it was a volatile situation, so he walked to the center of the park to investigate further. He spoke with Kasadye McLaren, 19, of Manchester, who was holding her 15-month-old child.
McLaren told Officer Feather a man, later identified as Yancey, was riding a BMX style bicycle in the park and McLaren felt Yancey was purposely riding his bicycle close to her infant as he lay in his carriage, so she repeatedly asked him to stay away. Yancey refused and an argument ensued. Yancey allegedly punched McLaren in the chest with a closed fist during the confrontation. McLaren told police she was holding her baby during the incident when a second punch was thrown by Yancey. Yancey’s second closed fist punch allegedly struck the child in the forehead, causing minor swelling and redness.
AMR ambulance arrived on scene to check both McLaren and her child. McLaren declined transportation to the hospital and remained on scene after AMR checked on both subjects. No serious injuries were reported.
Police say McLaren and Yancey are familiar with one another but are not believed to have a domestic relationship. Based on the fact Yancey assaulted a child under the age of 13, he was charged with second-degree assault and simple assault for striking McLaren. He is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on May 22.
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