SHARPSBURG, Pa. — A 57-year-old man accused of attacking a 7-year-old Sharpsburg boy Saturday told police he had been huffing paint thinner before the attack.
Investigators said the boy was playing outside on Middle Street when Ricky Hura approached the boy and attempted to slam him into a telephone pole.
The boy’s mother said she was watching her son from her front porch when the attack happened.
The victim’s mother, who did not want to be identified, said she ran to help her son and that’s when Hura came after her.
“I had seen this man grab my child,” the victim’s mother said.
“You could tell he was very incoherent,” she said.
A mailman and neighbors jumped in between Hura and the vicitm’s mother, keeping Hura away.
“I’m grateful for him to be there,” the victim’s mother said.
Sharpsburg police said Hura admitted to huffing paint thinner before the attack. He is facing several charges including simple assault and harassment.