A terrifying ordeal unfolded within the bustling Macy’s Herald Square in New York City, leaving a mother fighting for recovery and a ten-month-old baby thankfully unharmed. The attack, occurring in a seventh-floor bathroom, involved a 38-year-old tourist from California who was changing her child’s diaper.
Kerri Aherne, 43, now faces charges of attempted murder and assault, accused of repeatedly stabbing the woman in her back, shoulder, and arm. The baby was jolted from the changing table during the violent encounter, but miraculously escaped injury. The mother, a civilian employee of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.
The harrowing attack was brought to an end when the victim, displaying incredible courage, managed to subdue Aherne with assistance from her partner, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy. The scene was one of chaos and fear, unfolding in the heart of the world’s largest department store.
Authorities discovered Aherne had been released from Manhattan Psychiatric Center just hours before the attack, following a year-long stay. This release raises critical questions about the circumstances surrounding her departure and the level of support provided.
Prosecutors revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior, detailing Aherne’s history of erratic social media posts. These included direct threats against Senator Elizabeth Warren and incoherent rants directed at former President Donald Trump, painting a picture of a deeply troubled individual.
According to court statements, Aherne herself confessed to purchasing a knife within Macy’s with the intent to kill. She claimed she was compelled by voices in her head, believing her own life depended on taking another. This chilling admission underscores the severity of her mental health crisis.
Prior to her recent stay, Aherne had been arrested in Massachusetts in 2018 for online threats to kill Senator Warren, and had even expressed plans to attack a local police station. These earlier incidents highlight a concerning escalation of dangerous behavior.
Court documents from 2019 reveal Aherne was declared an incapacitated person, with her mother and sister appointed as her legal guardians. The court also mandated she continue taking Prolixin, an antipsychotic medication used to manage schizophrenia, raising questions about adherence to this treatment plan.
During her arraignment, Aherne vehemently protested being held without bail, expressing frustration that her time at the Manhattan Psychiatric Center had not provided the help she needed. Her next court appearance is scheduled for December 17, where her attorney intends to argue for her release.
Aherne, previously unarrested in New York, is believed to have been homeless at the time of the attack. The incident has sparked a wave of concern and questions about the availability of mental health resources and the safety of public spaces.
