Syrian man accused of inappropriately touching girl at pool

LOWELL, Mass. — A Syrian refugee living in Lowell was arrested after allegedly inappropriately touching a 13-year-old girl at a Lowell swimming pool.

Thursday evening at Raymond Lord Memorial Pool a 13-year-old girl reported that a man approached her and then touched her upper thigh and asked her age.

The girl reportedly told him she was too young and walked away.

The man, identified as Emad Hasso of Lowell, allegedly began following the girl and approached her again while swimming, once again touching her thigh and asking her age.

The girl told police she responded that she was a "little kid, leave me alone."

Prosecutors said other people at the pool saw part of the interaction and intervened.

Hasso told the Massachusetts Environmental Police that he and only been the U.S. for about two months and was a Syrian refugee. Hasso speaks little English.

During a hearing, Hasso used an interpreter to tell the judge, ""First of all, I don't speak the language and I haven't spoke to her."

Hasso reportedly told his lawyer that he may have bumped into the girl on accident.

He's been charged with one count of indecent assault and battery on someone under 16.

Cox Media Group