New York, N.Y. — A woman has been indicted for allegedly stabbing a tourist in a Macy’s bathroom while the victim was changing her baby’s diaper last month. Kerri Aherne, 43, faced a Manhattan court on Wednesday where she appeared in prison attire and was visibly distressed as she listened to the proceedings.
The incident occurred on December 10, 2025, shortly before 3:15 p.m. Prosecutors allege that Aherne, who has a known history of mental illness, purchased a knife from the department store located at Herald Square and entered the seventh-floor restroom where she found a 38-year-old woman from California tending to her infant. Without any provocation, Aherne allegedly approached from behind and stabbed the victim multiple times in the back.
During the fray, the baby fell from the changing table but fortunately was unharmed. The mother managed to wrestle the knife away from Aherne and pushed her further into the restroom. Aherne was eventually subdued by the victim’s boyfriend and store security personnel until police arrived to take her into custody.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg condemned the attack, emphasizing the importance of public safety, especially during the busy holiday shopping season. “As alleged, this was a horrific and unprovoked act against a mother caring for her child,” Bragg remarked. The victim sustained multiple injuries and was treated at Bellevue Hospital for her wounds, which required stitches.
Aherne’s history is particularly concerning. Prosecutors noted that she had only recently been released from the Manhattan Psychiatric Center prior to the incident. Following her departure from a psychiatric facility in Massachusetts, she allegedly expressed a desire to escape the hospital environment, preferring prison instead. Authorities reported that she claimed voices in her head compelled her to commit the act, suggesting a grave mental health crisis.
Charged with attempted murder, assault, and endangering the welfare of a child, Aherne was ordered held without bail by Judge Ann Thompson. She is scheduled to appear again in court on February 11.
As the case unfolds, questions surrounding mental health support and public safety continue to emerge, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by individuals grappling with severe mental illnesses and the broader implications for the community.