Mother, teens face judge for fights

Torrington, Conn. (WTNH) - A mother and four teenagers, arrested in connection with the beating of a 15-year-old boy, faced a judge Wednesday. It's one of two incidents sparked by an argument near Torrington High School last week.

It started as a fight on Thursday, retaliation Friday and Saturday, and ultimately the arrests by Tuesday.

Arrested were: 18-year-old Samuel Cosme Junior, 18-year-old Bryon Cronin, 18-year-old Dilyen Langdeau and 19-year-old Brian Heller. Langdeau's mother, 35-year-old Kerry Langdeau, was also arrested.

The stepped up police presence just outside school grounds at Torrington High School can be seen, Wednesday. And, outside the courthouse in Bantam, the father of Brian Heller defended his son.

"He was sticking up for someone; that's what he was doing," said Brian Heller.

Dilyen Langdeau and his mother Kerry face the most serious charges. Dilyen is accused of kicking and punching the victim while holding a tire iron. The victim claims Kerry used her van to try and run him over.

"My aunt had no idea what was going on; she didn't try to run him over; the kid was alongside her. My cousin said stop the car and she didn't know what was going on," said Lacee Cronin.

None of the suspects are currently enrolled at Torrington Highschool. Dilyen's family said he quit because he feared for his safety. Friends and family say the suspects retaliated on the teenage victim because they claim he was bullying them and attacked Langdaeu and a friend in the past.

"No, it was not no gang thing. I don't know on the Dominicans part if there was anything gang related with them talking about Trinidads, but there was no gang affiliated with me, my cousin, Bryon Cronin, Kerry Langdaeu; none of them had any affiliation with any gang rivals and this is blown out of proportion and is uncalled for," said Lacee Cronin, cousin of Bryon Cronin.

"Like I said it's a retaliation; it wasn't smart on his part but he did what he thought he had to do and he's going pay the consequences," said Brian Heller.

The victim in this case is of Dominican decent. Police have said the rumors about dozens of gang members coming from New York City are unfounded.