Six boys and two girls ranging in age from 13 to 16 have been charged with crimes as serious as aggravated assault in the July 29 beating of Meadville Tribune deliveryman Hans Wortman.

The 43-year-old was completing his paper route on Byllesby Avenue in the north end of Meadville when he was confronted by a gang of kids demanding money. When he went for his cell phone to call police, the kids attacked, breaking his nose, cheekbone and jaw; taking some of his possessions; and leaving him unconscious and bleeding in the street.

A short time later, Meadville police arrested 10 kids who escaped earlier that morning from Bethesda Children’s Home/Lutheran Social Services in Woodcock Township, a treatment facility where children are sent by the courts. It is a no-lockdown facility and it is not supposed to be sent children who show a tendency toward being a danger to the public.

Charged on Thursday were:

–– A male, 13, aggravated and simple assault;

–– Male, 14, aggravated and simple assault;

–– Male, 14, aggravated and simple assault;

–– Male, 14, aggravated and simple assault, robbery and theft;

–– Male, 15, aggravated and simple assault;

–– Male, 15, aggravated and simple assault;

–– A female, 15, simple assault and harassment;

–– Female, 16, aggravated and simple assault, robbery and theft by unlawful taking.

The names of those charged were withheld because they are juveniles.

If the kids contest the charges, hearings will be held to determine guilt or innocence. In many instances, juvenile court proceedings are closed to the public and media. However, due to the age of the alleged offenders and the charges in this case, Crawford County District Attorney Francis Schultz said he believes it’s likely that only the hearing for the 15-year-old female would be closed.

Punishments for those determined to be guilty will be set by court systems in the counties that sent the kids to Bethesda, Schultz explained.