Mother, teens charged in fight

Torrington, Conn. (WTNH) - Torrington police say they arrested a mother and four teenagers in connection with the beating of a 15-year-old boy. It's just one of the recent fights that have prompted school officials to increase security at Torrington High School. 

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 15-year old boy suffered minor injuries following Thursday's incident near the high school. Police say the beating sparked other retaliation incidents on Friday and Saturday.

The principal at Torrington High School says there will be heightened security following the fights. Principal Marsha Olsen says the school has been working with authorities and that they have been "proactive in dealing with students who are involved."

Read Dr. Olsen's message on torrington.org

Parents are concerned.

"I don't know exactly what was going on; all I know is that I had to go to school and pick up my family members from school because they might retaliate," said parent Iva Mendoza.

Mendoza said the violence has been escalating and her kids are in danger.

"What if they beat up somebody else worse than they already did? It was really bad; he passed out and was in the hospital a few times," Mendoza said.

"There are all kinds of rumors going around the school; people with machetes I have heard. And, there are all kinds of rumors about stepped up police force; stories about violence," said Senior Jacob Kupernik.

Police have added an officer inside the school but they have one off campus because they say that is where the fights have happened. They say they are going to continue with this because the rumors have been so vicious and nasty they want to squash them and make sure nothing happens.

"I think this got blown out of proportion. In terms of 40 or 50 gang members coming up to the area, thankfully we didn't have anyone coming to the area, but we did use our resources and remain vigilant, and having preparation for that," said Mike Emanuel of Torrington Police Department.

Those arrested are due in Bantam Superior Court Wednesday.