Father charged with abusing six-week-old son
Published on September 25th, 2002
STONEHAM, MA - A dysfunctional Stoneham family is in the middle of a maelstrom of tragedy, violence and despair after the 33 year-old ex-convict father was arrested for allegedly striking his six week-old baby son last week.
Brian P. Saucier, of 121 Franklin Street, has been charged with assault and battery to a child with substantial injury as his baby son, Tyler, struggles for his life at the New England Medical Center.
Saucier was denied bail in a dangerousness hearing at Woburn District Court on Tuesday morning, as details of the case were unearthed in the emotion drenched courtroom. Steve Hoffman, of the Middlesex District Attorney’s office, detailed the regrettable chain of events that led to the arrest.
According to Hoffman and Stoneham Police reports, Stoneham Police arrived at 121 Franklin Street on a call of an unresponsive baby. Officer Paul Norton reported to the scene at approximately 12:02 a.m. during the early morning hours of Thursday, September 19.
According to Hoffman, the baby wasn’t breathing and there was evidence of bruising to the buttocks, thighs and face of the newborn. The baby was immediately rushed to the Melrose/Wakefield Hospital, and an rapid investigation led to the hospital arrest of Saucier a short time later.
Hoffman further stated that Saucier claimed to have “spanked” the baby in order to stop it from crying, and that that’s what his parents had done to him. Saucier boasts a lengthy police record that includes five convictions for assault and battery, a prison sentence for an armed robbery conviction and a current stint on probation for distribution of Class A drugs.
Young Tyler Saucier is currently still in extremely critical condition at New England Medical Center, according to Hoffman, and is unresponsive and breathing with the aid of a ventilator. The infant is suffering from internal bleeding in his brain consistent with being voilently struck, and doctors have not given him a very promising prognosis.
“We believe that the alleged abuse by Mr. Saucier could eventually turn into a homicide,” said Hoffman.
Saucier alternated between covering his face with his hands, standing stone-faced, and mouthing the words “I love you” to the mother of his child sitting in the audience, 23 year-old Keri Conzo.
As the attorney went through the details of the grisly case, Conzo openly weeped in the arms of nearby family and friends. Conzo received a restraining order against Saucier during the hearing, and also voiced her desire to gain full custody of the baby and change his last name to Conzo.
Woburn District Court Judge Marie Thompson-Jackson granted Conzo’s restraining order, and directed her to a separate court for a custody hearing.
The hearing ended with Saucier being held for a pretrial hearing on October 19, and Channel 7 News and Fox News creating a media-circus frenzy by chasing Conzo and the couple’s neighbors out of the courtroom and into the parking lot.
“I came here for the babies sake,” said one unidentified neighbor as she left the courtroom. “He’s a monster, he’s exactly where he deserves to be, and I hope he never gets out... She’s (Conzo) just as guilty because she let it happen.”
“She’s been covering it up for weeks,” said another sobbing neighbor as she escaped into her car.
In harmony with the neighbors comments, Stoneham Police have hinted that Conzo may also be charged in connection with the alleged assault of the baby.
“We are still in the middle of gathering evidence, and, if it leads down that road, then we’ll take the appropriate action,” said Stoneham Police Chief Gregory O’Keefe.
“This is one of those instances where I wish more services were in place to teach these kids how to be parents,” said O’Keefe. “Children come from families where they were regularly abused by their parents, and then they continue the cycle of violence by hitting their kids.”
“We give out licenses to drive or get married, but it seems like anyone can go out and have a baby,” added O’Keefe.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!