LYNNFIELD, Mass. — A Lynnfield man with cerebral palsy says he was attacked by two teenagers after refusing to buy them cigarettes.
Frank Baker, 40, told FOX25 he was loading his walker into his car in the handicap parking space in front of Old Towne Market on March 12, when the boys approached him. Baker said he told the teens he wasn't willing to use his license to buy cigarettes for anyone who is underage.
"One of them grabbed my left arm and tried pushing me," Baker said. "The other kid, I got punched in my temple here, and I blacked out. I fell into the car, in the driver's seat, and I was seeing stars."
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Baker said he doesn't remember driving home just a few miles away, but his wife, Brie Baker, knew something was wrong when she saw him and called an ambulance.
Baker was treated for a minor concussion and released. But just last Wednesday, he returned to the hospital, showing signs of a minor stroke. Some of his family members believe it was related to the beating, because he has never shown symptoms of a stroke in his life.
"It caused me a tremendous amount of weakness in my left side," Baker said. "My left arm started tingling, and then it radiated from there. It went down to my left leg and to my foot."
Lynnfield police are investigating, but, so far, there are no witnesses, despite it happening at 3 p.m., on a Saturday - typically a busy time at the plaza consisting of several shops.
It also seems none of the businesses captured surveillance video of the incident or any suspects. A clerk told FOX25 Old Towne Market doesn't have any cameras facing outside.
Baker's father, Andrew Cambria, however, is hopeful there is video.
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"We've worked on him for how many years - since he was a baby - to try and get him to walk, to live a normal life," Cambria, said. "We've spent more time with surgeons, with doctors and everything, and for some to kid to push him over - that's a big deal."
Cambria hopes his son's alleged attackers have bragged about the attack and word will spread.
Baker, too, hopes someone is held accountable.
"I would like to say shame on them for doing that, and we will find you," Baker said. "You just can't go around punching people in the face, especially a person with a disability."
Information can be called in to Lynnfield police at 781-334-6405.