EVERETT, MASS. (WHDH) - People in Everett rallied outside city hall Tuesday night in support of a 13-year-old Arthur Silva Bento, who was taken into ICE custody after being arrested by Everett police.
Bento has been in ICE custody in Louisiana for six days, and an attorney for the boy’s family said it has been agonizing for them.
“I can only imagine what a mother is going through to have her child taken away from you and 522 miles away,” said Andrew Lattarulo, the family’s attorney. “We’ve never dealt with an arrest this young.”
Everett police said they were given a credible tip that Bento had made a violent threat against another student at one of the city’s public schools last week. He was arrested Thursday, and Everett police said he had a six to seven inch double-sided knife on him.
Then, while at the police department, ICE agents arrived and detained Bento while his mother waited inside the station for him.
“When I was 13, I remember my father taking me to Toys-R-Us and I was begging him to buy me Pokémon cards, and unfortunately this child is locked up in a detention center over 500 miles away,” said Lattarulo.
Bento’s family is Brazilian, and Lattarulo said they have had a pending asylum application since they arrived to the U.S. in 2021.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said: “Here are the facts: he posed a public safety threat with an extensive rap sheet including violent assault with a dangerous weapon, battery, breaking and entering, destruction of property. He was in possession of a firearm and 5-to-7 inch knife when arrested.”
Both Everett police and Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria confirm a six to seven-inch double-sided knife was found.
Lattarulo did not deny Bento has a past.
“I’ve seen him a few times. I think he’s a great kid, I think sometimes kids get in trouble, but I think at the end of the day, the public needs to know he’s not 31, he’s 13,” Lattarulo said.
Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria said the city not not have any contact with ICE prior to the boy’s detainment.
“Everett police does not make arrests based on immigration status. Everett police did not contact ICE about this recent juvenile arrest,” DeMaria said. “ICE operates independently and has the authority to access certain law enforcement databases and take action on its own accord.”
The Everett community packed Tuesday’s city council meeting calling for the boy’s release, including State Senator Sal DiDomenico.
“This is a rogue agency,” DiDomenico said. “A rogue agency that is breaking the law in our community. Bring back this child and stay out of our community.”
City Councilor Guerline Alcy Jabquin said she’s taken precautions to protect her own sons.
“All three boys were born here and I have to give them their passports to walk around so they can feel safe,” she said. “That’s not the America I know.”
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