BOSTON, April 5 (UPI) -- A paraplegic Massachusetts grandfather who hit his 3-year-old granddaughter's alleged molester with a baseball bat will face an assault charge, officials say.
Martha's Vineyard computer salesman Frank Hebert allegedly attacked Joshua A. Hardy, 27, after setting a trap for his arrest, the Boston Herald reported Tuesday.
As a result of the citizen's arrest, Hardy now faces child molestation charges in a second case involving another little girl, authorities said.
Hardy has been charged with two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 in incidents alleged to have occurred Jan. 7 and Jan. 17 involving another child.
Hebert, confined to a wheelchair with only partial use of his arms after a car crash a decade ago, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Hebert claims during the Christmas holiday season the child began asking her grandparents to protect her.
Hebert said he lured Hardy to his computer sales and service shop in Vineyard Haven on Feb. 22 after calling on state police to back him up.
Hebert said he pointed the baseball bat at Hardy and ordered him to stay seated until police arrived, but Hardy stood up, and that's when he used the bat, Hebert said.
"I never intended to hit him," Hebert said. "If I was a standing man, I wouldn't have brought a bat, but without it, I am a bloody rag doll."
