A man accused of stabbing a teenage girl at a Cape Cod store on Thursday was held without bail following his arraignment on Friday, where a doctor recommended he be evaluated at Bridgewater State Hospital.
Hyannis resident Nikolas Rescigno, 31, is accused of attacking the teen on Thursday at the Dollar Tree in Hyannis.
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The victim was brought to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses told police the girl was standing next to her mother when Rescigno approached her from behind, stabbing her in the lower backside without warning.
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"Rescigno is unknown to the victim and this attack appears to be random and unprovoked," police said in a statement.
Police arrested Rescigno on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, as well as an outstanding warrant related to "another incident involving a knife at the Cape Cod Mall in May of 2023." He allegedly failed to appear in court in that case.
In court, a doctor said that Rescigno refused to speak with her for a proper competency evaluation. She noted he has a history of mental health concerns and recommended he be evaluated further at Bridgewater State Police.
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Rescigno was held without bail without prejudice while he undergos a mental health evaluation. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was represented by a court-appointed attorney.
