Overview
- The California mother was treated and released from the hospital and her 10‑month‑old was not injured by a weapon, though prosecutors said the child fell and later had forehead swelling.
- The Dec. 11 attack occurred in a seventh‑floor restroom at Macy’s Herald Square; the victim subdued the assailant and store security held her until police arrived.
- Kerri Aherne, 43, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, assault, weapon possession, and child endangerment and is being held at Rikers Island pending a Dec. 17 court date.
- Manhattan prosecutors said Aherne has a history of psychiatric hospitalizations, no prior New York arrests, and a 2018 Massachusetts arrest over threats against Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
- Officials noted it was the second reported assault at the flagship store in about a month, fueling questions about retail security and mental‑health discharge practices during the holiday shopping season.