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Chism indicted on attempted murder charge in assault on DYS worker

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Philip Chism, the 15-year-old who is accused of raping and murdering his Danvers High School math teacher Colleen Ritzer, has been indicted by a grand jury on charges stemming from an alleged assault on a Department of Youth Services worker.

Prosecutors allege that while Chism was in custody at a Dorchester DYS facility, he assaulted a 29-year-old female DYS worker on June 2. A court document filed by the prosecution state that Chism took steps to "elude staff assigned to him." He then reportedly walked out of a room, followed a counselor into a bathroom and attacked her. "It is alleged that the defendant was able to choke and beat her about the head and face before staff intervened and restrained him,"the documents read.

He was also reportedly carrying a pencil at the time of the attack. The woman's coworkers heard her cries for help and interrupted the attack, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office.

Chism was transported to Boston Medical Center before he was transferred to Worcester State Hospital.

On Wednesday, a grand jury returned indictments charging Chism with attempted murder by strangulation, assault with intent to murder, kidnapping, and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

He has been charged as a youthful offender and remains in custody. An arraignment date in the Suffolk County Juvenile Court has not yet been set.