Belmont, NH – A 42-year-old New Hampshire man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly kidnapping, tying up, and brutally beating his elderly parents for nearly 12 hours inside their own home. The accused, Nathaniel Kay, was arrested on October 15 and remains in custody as police describe the case as one of the most disturbing incidents they’ve handled in years.
The Incident: Parents Held Hostage and Beaten for Hours
According to the Belmont Police Department, the violent ordeal unfolded between October 14 and 15 at a residence on Cotton Hill Road in Belmont, roughly 40 miles north of Manchester. Police said Kay’s 82-year-old father and 77-year-old mother were repeatedly assaulted, tied with ropes, and dragged between rooms of the house during a prolonged period of abuse.
Investigators believe the incident began when Kay confined his parents inside the home, tying them with a clothesline before punching, kicking, and dragging them into the garage, where the beating continued. After several hours, he allegedly forced them back inside the house and continued attacking them.
The victims told officers that the assaults only stopped a few hours before they managed to call 911, after one parent convinced their son to allow them to call for help under the condition that they pretend the injuries were from a fall.
“Usually, we’ll respond to incidents like this, it’s something that just recently happened,” said Belmont Police Chief Stephen Akerstom. “Not over the course of 12 hours. That’s really the difference here with this case.”
Investigation and Evidence Collected
Emergency responders were first dispatched to the home during the early morning hours of October 15 after receiving a report of two people falling down the stairs. Upon arrival, firefighters immediately called police after finding signs inconsistent with an accidental fall.
According to charging documents obtained by The Laconia Daily Sun, officers found blood throughout the home, visible bruising on the victims, and dried stains on a pair of pants in a laundry hamper. One of the victims had a swollen eye and extensive facial injuries.
The victims later told investigators that their son strangled his father with a rope and continued to beat them whenever they attempted to resist. The couple’s ordeal lasted through the night, ending only when they were permitted to contact emergency services.
Both victims were hospitalized with serious injuries. The mother was treated for a brain bleed, while the father suffered a broken nose and fractured ribs, according to law enforcement officials.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Nathaniel Kay now faces an extensive list of charges, including:
- Two counts of kidnapping
- Two counts of criminal restraint
- Two counts of simple assault
- Four counts of second-degree assault
He was initially booked on domestic violence charges, but additional counts were added as the investigation expanded. Kay is currently being held in preventive detention and has waived his probable cause hearing, according to The Laconia Daily Sun.
The case will now proceed to Belknap County Superior Court, though no formal court date has yet been scheduled.
Police and Community Reactions
Chief Akerstom called the case “unusual and deeply troubling,” emphasizing the duration and intensity of the alleged assaults.
“It’s definitely different,” he said. “We respond to domestic incidents frequently, but this kind of extended abuse lasting over half a day is something we rarely see.”
Local residents in the small town of Belmont, where the population is under 8,000, have expressed shock and disbelief over the allegations. Many have described the situation as a tragic example of domestic violence against vulnerable seniors.
Background and Legal Context
Under New Hampshire law, second-degree assault and kidnapping are serious felonies that can carry decades in prison. Legal analysts say prosecutors could seek enhanced penalties because the victims are over 65 years old, which qualifies as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
Experts also point to the growing awareness of elder abuse, noting that such crimes often go unreported. According to the National Council on Aging, only 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse is ever brought to authorities’ attention.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
The investigation into the Cotton Hill Road case remains open as forensic teams continue processing evidence from the scene. Prosecutors are expected to present the case to a Belknap County grand jury for indictment in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, both victims are said to be recovering at a local hospital under medical supervision. Authorities have not disclosed their current condition but confirmed that they are cooperating fully with investigators.
Kay remains held without bail pending further court proceedings.
Conclusion
The Belmont case underscores the devastating impact of domestic and elder abuse, even within close family relationships. As prosecutors prepare for trial, local law enforcement has pledged continued support to the victims and renewed its call for vigilance against elder mistreatment.
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