A mother vacationing was stabbed several times inside a retail store while changing her 10-month-old baby’s diaper, as reported by the police. The 39-year-old woman from Southern California was assaulted in a restroom on the seventh floor of Macy’s Herald Square at approximately 3pm on Thursday, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD). She was swiftly taken to Bellevue Hospital in a stable condition and discharged the following day. Authorities confirmed that her infant daughter was unharmed by the weapon used in the attack, although it is alleged that the child fell from the changing table to the floor during the traumatic incident.
The accused, 43-year-old Kerri Aherne from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, made an appearance in court on Friday after being apprehended and charged with attempted murder, two counts of assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child. Aherne had been released from the Manhattan Psychiatric Center on the morning of the assault after residing there for a year. It was reported that she claimed to have heard voices instructing her to “kill someone” or face being killed herself.
During the court proceedings, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Paul Barker stated, “She had bought a knife at Macy’s and sought out a victim to kill because the voices in her head compelled her to do so under threat of her own demise.”
Aherne is currently in custody without bail until her scheduled court appearance on December 17. She pleaded with the judge not to be transferred to another mental health facility, expressing dissatisfaction with her previous experience at Manhattan Psychiatric Center.
The identity of the victim has not been disclosed by officials. Both she and her husband are employed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD). The husband managed to disarm the assailant and restrain her until law enforcement arrived at the scene.
The LASD released a statement acknowledging the incident at Macy’s Department Store, affirming that the victim and her partner are both LASD employees. The NYPD is leading the investigation, and any further updates on the case will be provided by the NYPD.
A spokesperson from Macy’s conveyed their condolences over the unfortunate event that occurred, emphasizing the store’s commitment to customer and staff safety as their utmost priority. Further inquiries were directed to the local authorities.