Mother Stabbed Multiple Times While Changing Baby’s Diaper at NYC Macy’s

A seemingly ordinary diaper change at Macy's flagship Herald Square store turned violent when a Jurupa Valley woman, visiting New York City, was attacked and stabbed multiple times on Thursday afternoon. The 38-year-old victim, who works for the LA County Sheriff's Department along with her significant other, was stabbed in the back twice and suffered additional cuts to her arm during the scuffle with the assailant. A sharp increase in citywide stabbings has been noted by authorities, despite efforts to curb the violence.

NBC Los Angeles reports that the woman, after being ambushed while changing her child's diaper, managed to wrestle the suspect to the ground. She was rushed to a hospital and is expected to survive, assured by officials that her baby, who also experienced a fall during the attack, is unharmed. According to KTLA, the victim’s boyfriend, who was waiting outside the bathroom, along with two good Samaritans, aided in subduing the attacker until police arrived.

Authorities have identified the suspected attacker as 43-year-old Kerri Aherne from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, who was arrested at the scene and faces attempted murder, assault, and weapon possession charges. Disturbing details emerged as Aherne told police – and later prosecutors – that she had been hearing voices compelling her to commit the crime. In a statement obtained by ABC News, Aherne purportedly admitted to purchasing a knife from Macy's before entering the restroom and initiating the attack.

Further complicating the tragic event, it was revealed that Aherne had a documented history of mental illness and had been released from Manhattan Psychiatric Center on the morning of the assault. She had previously made threats against public figures and had been residing at the psychiatric facility for over a year. Despite her mental health issues, Aherne had no criminal history in New York but faced an arrest in Massachusetts in 2018, a fact reported during her arraignment.

L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna expressed his concerns, stating, "My thoughts and prayers are with my employees and their families during this very traumatic event," as conveyed to KTLA. He further extended his gratitude to the NYPD for their swift action in apprehending the suspect. Macy's spokesperson reflected on the heartrending event and placed utmost priority on the safety of customers and colleagues, as per a statement to PIX11 News. As officials continue to investigate, the broader issue of mental health and its intersection with public safety remains a pressing concern for communities across each bustling metropolises.