Mother Stabbed While Changing Baby's Diaper at Macy's
A routine holiday shopping trip at Macy's Herald Square in New York City turned into a nightmare on December 11, 2025, when a woman was suddenly stabbed inside the flagship department store. The shocking incident has raised serious questions about public safety, mental health care, and the protections in place for retail workers and shoppers during the busiest time of the year.
The Incident: A Sudden Attack in a Busy Store
On a bustling December afternoon, shoppers at Macy's Herald Square were caught off guard by a violent attack inside the store's seventh-floor bathroom. The victim, a 39-year-old woman from California, was changing her 10-month-old baby when she was repeatedly stabbed in the back, shoulder, and arm. The baby fell from the changing table, but was unharmed. The victim, who works as a civilian employee for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, and discharged the following day in stable condition.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) responded swiftly to the assault report around 3:15 p.m. local time. The suspect, 43-year-old Kerri Aherne, was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child.
The Suspect: A Troubled Past and Recent Release
What makes this case particularly disturbing is the suspect's recent release from a psychiatric hospital just hours before the attack. Aherne had been hospitalized for a year at the Manhattan Psychiatric Center and was discharged on the morning of December 11, 2025. Prosecutors revealed that she purchased the knife used in the attack at Macy's itself and was reportedly hearing voices commanding her to kill someone or face death herself.
Court records show that Aherne has a long history of mental illness. In 2019, she was declared an incapacitated person, with her mother and sister appointed as her guardians. She was placed on a court-ordered treatment plan requiring her to take Prolixin, an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia. Despite this, she left Massachusetts in the summer of 2024 while on temporary leave from a hospital, traveling to New York City by Uber.
Her troubled past also includes a 2018 arrest in Massachusetts for posting threats online against Senator Elizabeth Warren and expressing intentions to obtain a gun to shoot someone at a local police station. Her social media activity from that time featured anti-Trump comments, movie clips, and incoherent rants, with one of her last posts stating she was "going a little insane," as reported by the New York Post.
The Aftermath: Court Proceedings and Public Concerns
At her arraignment, Aherne was held without bail. Her attorney indicated plans to seek bail at a future hearing, but the judge's decision reflected the gravity of the charges and the risk she poses. During the hearing, Aherne expressed frustration with the mental health system, pleading not to be sent back to a psychiatric facility, claiming that the Manhattan Psychiatric Center had not helped her.
Why This Matters: A System Under Strain
This violent episode at Macy's is more than just a shocking crime; it highlights critical issues at the intersection of mental health care, public safety, and retail security. The fact that Aherne was released from a psychiatric hospital mere hours before the attack raises troubling questions about the adequacy of mental health evaluations and discharge protocols.
What You Should Know: Lessons and Vigilance
As a shopper or retail worker, this story might leave you feeling uneasy about your safety in public spaces. While such attacks are rare, they remind us of the importance of vigilance and the need for improved mental health support systems.
- Mental Health Awareness: Understanding the complexities of mental illness and advocating for better treatment and monitoring can help prevent similar tragedies.
- Public Safety Measures: Retailers and public venues might need to reassess security protocols, especially during busy seasons, to protect patrons and staff.
- Community Support: Encouraging community resources and crisis intervention programs can provide alternatives to hospitalization and reduce the risk of violent incidents.
References: Woman Arrested in Stabbing at Macy's N.Y.C. Store Was Released from Psych Hospital | Homeless woman accused of stabbing tourist inside NYC Macy's bathroom was released from psych hospital morning of attack | Suspect in 'unprovoked' Macy's bathroom stabbing had history of mental illness
