Belmont resident indicted for elder abuse, assault

BELMONT — One person accused in the brutal assault of two elderly people in October has been indicted by a Belknap County Grand Jury, according to Attorney General John Formella.

Nathaniel Kay, 42, of Belmont, was indicted on one felony count of second-degree assault, and two felony counts of criminal restraint. The indictments allege Kay committed those crimes on Oct. 14, 2025, against two elderly victims, identified as VWK and RK.

The second-degree assault indictment alleges Kay recklessly caused serious injury — a traumatic brain injury — to VWK, by striking the victim in the head. The criminal restraint indictments allege he confined the elders with a rope, exposing them to the risk of serious injury. 

Kay is also charged by information with three misdemeanor counts of simple assault. Those allege that, on Oct. 14, Kay knowingly assaulted VWK by pushing them, and RK by pushing them and striking them in the head.  

An affidavit sworn by Belmont Police Chief Stephen Akerstrom describes an hours-long period of assault. Both victims, at various points, had their hands and feet bound while subjected to beatings, and one was strangled.

Firefighters were called to the house where the alleged incidents took place, just before 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 15, after receiving reports of a fall. One of the victims called and said two people had fallen down the stairs. The caller wasn’t sure if the other person was breathing, or conscious. Firefighters arrived at the residence 12 minutes later, and requested police. 

Two Belmont officers arrived, and learned Kay had allegedly assaulted the victims over about 12 hours. 

One of the victims apparently convinced Kay to allow them to call 911. The victim was told they could make the call, but to tell officers the injuries were caused by a fall. 

The felony counts are punishable by 3.5 to 7 years incarceration at the New Hampshire State Prison, and a fine of up to $4,000. The misdemeanor charges are punishable by up to 1 year incarceration in the House of Corrections, and a fine of up to $2,000. 

Kay is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. He is scheduled for arraignment in Belknap County Superior Court in Laconia, at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27.

This matter is being investigated by the New Hampshire State Police Major Crimes Unit and the Belmont Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Bryan J. Townsend II and Assistant Attorney General Nancy A. DeAngelis, both of the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit. 

When asked why the office was prosecuting the case, rather than the Belknap County Attorney’s Office, Townsend II said the Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit is responsible for handling cases involving the abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of adults who are 60 years of age or older. Because Kay’s case involves those allegations, that unit has jurisdiction to prosecute. 

If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse, contact your local police department and file a report with the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Adult and Aging Services at 800-949-0470 or nheasy.nh.gov/#/aps/start.