Worcester, MA – A Massachusetts man has been convicted of kidnapping and attempting to murder a 7-year-old girl, a crime that occurred nearly six years ago. Joshua Hubert, 43, now faces a potential 35-year prison sentence for the attack, which included strangulation and throwing the victim from a bridge into Lake Quinsigamond.
Conviction and Charges
On Thursday, Hubert was convicted by a Worcester County jury on the following charges:
- Attempted murder by drowning
- Attempted murder by strangling
- Strangulation or suffocation
- Kidnapping a child under 16 years of age
He was acquitted of two counts of aggravated rape of a child. Sentencing is scheduled for October 3, 2025.
The Abduction and Attack
The incident took place on August 27, 2017, at the girl’s grandparents’ home on Forestdale Road in Worcester. Hubert, a friend of the girl’s father, had been attending a barbecue at the family home.
Authorities say Hubert abducted the girl while she slept in a chair, placing her in his vehicle. The girl testified that she initially thought her grandfather was picking her up. She was driven around for roughly 90 minutes before Hubert attacked her and attempted to dispose of her in Lake Quinsigamond via the Interstate 290 overpass.
Survival and Rescue
The 7-year-old girl survived the fall, swimming approximately 100 yards across the lake, which reached depths of up to 90 feet. She reached a nearby home, where she was wrapped in a towel and given pajamas, then transported to a hospital for care.
In court, the girl recounted her efforts to survive, stating:
“I was thinking that he wanted me dead. If I breathed really lightly and quietly, he would think that I was dead and everything would stop.”
Trial Highlights
During the trial, prosecutors alleged that Hubert strangled and attempted to drown the girl, placing a bag over her head secured with a rope. DNA evidence did not link Hubert to the rape allegations, resulting in acquittal on those counts.
Hubert’s defense team also presented cell phone location data suggesting he may not have been near the bridge at the time. Despite these arguments, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all remaining counts. Hubert’s attorney, Kevin Larson, stated plans to appeal, citing late disclosure of evidence.
Background and Legal Proceedings
Hubert was initially released on bail in 2018 and later indicted in 2022 after the victim realized the nature of the alleged rape. The trial began in early September 2025 and lasted two weeks, concluding with the conviction on Thursday.
The maximum sentence for the crimes is 35 years in prison, reflecting the severity of the kidnapping and attempted murder.
Community and Official Statements
Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said in 2017:
“Fortunately, a greater tragedy was averted. The young victim had the strength to make it to shore and get help.”
Authorities continue to emphasize the bravery and resilience of the victim, now 15 years old, in surviving such a harrowing ordeal.
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