DA: 3 15-Year-Old Girls Charged With Hate Crime In MBTA Assault

Authorities in Massachusetts say three 15-year-old girls are facing hate crime charges after they allegedly assaulted a woman who they thought was an immigrant on a commuter train this month.

Suffolk County prosecutors say the Boston teens were all charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and a civil rights violation causing injury. They have been arraigned and released to their parents.

Prosecutors say the 49-year-old victim boarded a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority train on Nov. 7. Authorities say the teens verbally harassed the victim, mocked her accent, and one teen "repeatedly punched" and hit the woman with a cellphone when she tried to move seats.

The office says a witness reported the incident to transit police.

The teens are due back in court Nov. 30.