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12-Year-Old Boy Sexually Assaulted at South Street Seaport, Police Say

By  Murray Weiss Irene Plagianos and Sonja Sharp | June 26, 2013 2:07pm | Updated on June 26, 2013 4:42pm

 Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport.
Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport.
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DNAinfo/Jeanmarie Evelly

SOUTH STREET SEAPORT — A 12-year-old boy visiting New York City with his grandmother was sexually assaulted in a Pier 17 bathroom Tuesday evening, police said.

The young tourist was lured into a stall and assaulted by a man who had approached the boy as he stood at one of the bathroom’s urinals, according to police.

After the attack, the boy returned to his grandmother, continuing to sightsee in the area for about an hour before he confided in her about the assault, a source told DNAinfo New York. 

Police responded to the scene about 8:40 p.m. Tuesday. The boy was taken to Bellevue Hospital for an evaluation.

Cops were scanning surveillance video from the Seaport and surrounding areas Wednesday searching the man.

Howard Hughes Corporation, the owner of the pier, said the company is fully cooperating with the NYPD's investigation.

"Our first priority and concern is always for the well-being and safety of all visitors to the South Street Seaport," a Howard Hughes spokesman said in an emailed statement. "As soon as the incident was reported to security, our team moved quickly to assist the family and to bring in the local authorities."