Massachusetts man sentenced for kidnapping 7-year-old, strangling her, throwing her off bridge

Worcester — A Massachusetts man was sentenced Friday for the kidnapping and strangulation of a 7-year-old girl before hurling her from an Interstate 290 bridge over Lake Quinsigamond on August 27, 2017, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. announced.

Following a trial spanning several days, last month 43-year-old Joshua Hubert of Worcester was convicted on two counts of attempted murder, one count of strangulation, and one count of child kidnapping. He was acquitted on one count of aggravated rape of a child involving force and one count of aggravated rape of a child with a five-year age gap.

Today, Hubert was sentenced to serve two 14-15-year prison sentences for the two attempted murder convictions, to run consecutively, and 4-5 years in prison for his strangulation conviction, to run concurrently with one of the attempted murder sentences. He was also sentenced to 4 years of probation on the kidnapping conviction, to run from and after the prison sentences.

The events unfolded on August 26th, 2017, when Hubert attended a barbecue with the victim’s relatives. In the early morning of August 27th, he abducted the child, choked her, and tossed her from the bridge. The girl miraculously survived the plunge, made her way to shore, and reached out for assistance at a home on the Shrewsbury side of the lake. This prompted a probe by Shrewsbury and Worcester Police, alongside Massachusetts State Police detectives from the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.

“I would like to thank Assistant District Attorneys Mark McShera and Emily Meyers, and Victim Witness Advocate Maria Deyette, as well as the Shrewsbury and Worcester Police Departments, for their excellent work on this case,” Mr. Early said.

Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said, “I respect the Judge’s decision in sentencing. This is a horrific case, and the Worcester Police Department is hopeful that it will provide closure to the courageous victim and her family.”

Shrewsbury Police Chief Kevin Anderson said, “Today’s sentencing brings a measure of justice for the victim and their family after an unimaginably traumatic event. While no outcome can erase the pain caused, we hope this decision reinforces our community’s commitment to safety and accountability. Our officers remain dedicated to protecting all members of our community and supporting those affected by violent acts.”