NEW YORK (KABC) — A woman claimed she was hearing voices in her head telling her to kill before she allegedly stabbed a Jurupa Valley woman who was changing her baby daughter’s diaper in a bathroom of a Macy’s store in New York City, prosecutors said.
Kerri Aherne, 43, from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, allegedly stabbed the Southern California tourist multiple times in a seventh-floor restroom at Macy’s Herald Square location Thursday afternoon, the New York Police Department said.
The victim was taken to a local hospital in stable condition and later released. Her 10-month-old baby was not seriously injured.
The 38-year-old victim and her partner are both employees of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, sheriff’s officials said.
“My thoughts and prayers are with my employees and their family during this very traumatic event,” L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said. “I am grateful that they are safe and receiving the care and support they need.”
Aherne allegedly stabbed the tourist in her back and arm from behind just before 3 p.m. Prosecutors said the victim managed to subdue the assailant until store security arrived.
Aherne was held without bail after appearing in court Friday night. She faces charges of attempted murder, attempted assault, two counts of assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a complaint.
Prosecutors said Aherne purchased a knife from Macy’s, entered the bathroom and stabbed the victim. During the attack, the baby fell from the changing table to the floor.
Prosecutors said the suspect purchased the knife and looked for someone to kill because voices in her head told her she had to kill someone or she would be killed.
Aherne has no criminal history in New York but was previously arrested in Massachusetts in 2018 for posting on Facebook that she wanted to kill Sen. Elizabeth Warren, prosecutors said at arraignment. She also expressed she wanted to shoot someone at a police station.
The woman told police she has been hospitalized for psychiatric problems and said she was discharged from Manhattan Psychiatric Center on the morning of the assault. She had been staying at the psychiatric hospital for more than a year.
Police said the attack appears to be unprovoked and is currently under investigation.
A Macy’s spokesperson released a statement saying, “We are deeply saddened about the incident that took place today as the safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. We kindly defer any further questions to the local authorities.”
ABC News contributed to this report.
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