Pregnant Tewksbury State Hospital Staff Member Attacked with Chair

Boston man facing charges after alleged assault at psychiatric facility

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:23pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged hospital chair leg, with harsh shadows and stark lighting creating a gritty, investigative mood without any text or identifiable elements.A damaged hospital chair serves as a grim reminder of the security challenges facing psychiatric facilities like Tewksbury State Hospital.Boston Today

A 27-year-old Boston man named Eduardo Cruceta has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a public employee after allegedly pushing a chair into a pregnant staff member at Tewksbury State Hospital during a visit with a family member who was a patient at the facility.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns at Tewksbury State Hospital, a psychiatric facility that has seen a high volume of police calls in recent years. Despite previous security improvements, the state's controversial decision to remove non-lethal restraints and pepper spray from the hospital's public safety officers has raised alarms about the ability to respond to violent incidents.

The details

According to police, Cruceta began acting erratically and threatening to kill employees after his family member appeared to suffer a medical episode during the visit. Security was unable to remove Cruceta from the hospital room, and he then allegedly pushed a large chair into a pregnant staff member. Tewksbury police were eventually able to arrest Cruceta without further incident.

  • The incident occurred on Sunday around 10 a.m.
  • Cruceta is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday in Lowell District Court.

The players

Eduardo Cruceta

A 27-year-old Boston resident who is facing charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a public employee after the alleged attack at Tewksbury State Hospital.

Tewksbury State Hospital

A psychiatric facility in Massachusetts that has faced ongoing safety concerns, including a high volume of police calls in recent years.

Tewksbury Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to and arrested Cruceta following the incident at Tewksbury State Hospital.

Representative David Robertson

A Massachusetts state legislator who has expressed frustration over the state's decision to remove non-lethal restraints and pepper spray from the hospital's public safety officers.

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What they’re saying

“The decision to take away the pepper spray and non-lethal restraints from the public safety officers is incredibly unsafe and dangerous.”

— Registered Nurse at Tewksbury State Hospital

“I am frustrated by the change and hopeful that the state will reverse course.”

— Representative David Robertson, (D-Tewksbury)

What’s next

Cruceta is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday in Lowell District Court, where a judge will decide whether to allow him to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining safety and security at psychiatric facilities like Tewksbury State Hospital, particularly in the wake of controversial policy decisions that have removed key tools from the hands of public safety officers tasked with protecting both patients and staff.