A Massachusetts woman has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation after being charged in the unprovoked stabbing of a tourist in a Manhattan Macy’s bathroom. Kerri Aherne, 43, of Tewksbury, allegedly attacked a California resident who was changing her 10-month-old baby’s diaper in the Herald Square store on December 11. According to prosecutors, Aherne purchased a knife at the store, went to a seventh-floor bathroom, and began stabbing the victim in the back, arm, and hand. The victim managed to grab the knife and throw it away.
The victim’s partner and store security restrained Aherne until police arrived. The 10-month-old child fell from the changing table during the attack but was not injured. The victim was stabbed multiple times but survived.
Legal proceedings
At her arraignment Wednesday, Aherne pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and other charges. Her lawyer Kevin Sylvan stated that her client’s mental state is “the only relevant issue right now.” The New York judge ordered the mental health evaluation to determine whether Aherne is fit to stand trial. According to the Daily News, Aherne had been released from a New York psychiatric hospital the morning of the attack and had previously been a patient at a mental health facility in Massachusetts.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that “the thousands of families that visit Manhattan during the holiday season deserve to be safe while shopping and celebrating with their loved ones.” Aherne remains in custody, with her next court date scheduled for February 11.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.wcvb.com/article/mental-health-evaluation-ordered-for-woman-accused-of-stabbing-tourist-in-manhattan-macys/69943071