A dance instructor in the North End is being held without bail on charges that he sexually assaulted a boy when he gave him private lessons in his apartment, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Wilson Anthony, 19, was arraigned Tuesday in Boston Municipal Court on two counts each of aggravated rape of a child and indecent assault and battery on a child, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office said in a statement.
A not guilty plea was entered on Anthony’s behalf. Attempts to reach his lawyer for comment were unsuccessful on Wednesday night.
Judge Eleanor Sinnott ordered Anthony held without bail pending his next court appearance on March 16, according to Conley’s office.
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The statement identified the alleged victim only as a boy under the age of 14. Prosecutors contend that Anthony assaulted the child on various dates between June and September while he was taking dance lessons at the teacher’s Canal Street apartment.
“As a parent, it’s always concerning and frightening to hear about cases such as this, where a trusted adult is accused of abusing a child,” Conley said in the statement. “I would ask any parent or caregiver to reassure your children that they can talk to you about anything, especially anything that might make them afraid or uncomfortable. We want kids to know that they will be supported and won’t get in trouble for telling the truth, but not to feel pressured to disclose abuse.”
Officials said the boy and his family informed Boston police of the alleged assaults on Sunday, and that the child “disclosed details of the abuse during a forensic interview at the Family Justice Center of Boston” the following day.
Conley’s office said anyone who wishes to report the abuse of a child can call the district attorney’s Child Protection Unit at 617-619-4300. The Boston Police Crimes Against Children Unit can be reached at 617-343-6183.
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Travis Andersen can be reached at tandersen@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe.