Philip Chism allegedly assaults DYS worker at facility

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com / AP) -- Philip Chism, the teenager accused of raping and murdering his Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer, allegedly assaulted a female Department of Youth Services worker.

The incident took place on Monday, and Chism has been taken to Boston Medical Center for evaluation. A detail from the Essex County Sheriff's office has been assigned to Chism at the hospital.

The Suffolk district attorney's spokesman Jake Wark confirmed an assault at the facility is being investigated. Wark said the woman declined medical treatment.

A spokesman for DYS released a statement on Tuesday related to the incident.

"The Department of Youth Services is working closely with law enforcement to investigate an assault that took place on a member of the staff at our Dorchester facility," the statement read. "The safety and well-being of our staff is of primary concern and a full review of this incident will be conducted to identify any necessary security enhancements at the facility."

The then 15-year-old Chism was indicted in November on murder, aggravated rape and armed robbery charges. He is accused of attacking Ritzer inside a Danvers High School bathroom with a box cutter, slitting her throat and stealing her credit cards, iPhone, and underwear on Oct. 22.

This is a developing story and will be updated with more details as they become available.

Cox Media Group