2-Year-Old Slashed In Apparent Random Attack In Manhattan
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A toddler was targeted in a random attack while out with his babysitter in Manhattan.
Police say a man slashed the child in the face.
"My wife is horrified. My son is very nervous. Both under stress. Our nanny took the day off today because she has panic attacks. Not so good," the boy's father told CBS2's Natalie Duddridge. He didn't want to share his name.
Police say a stranger, caught on surveillance video, approached his 22-year-old nanny and 2-year-old son.
The boy's father says the nanny was pushing his son in a stroller, when a man approached them, then sliced the 2-year-old above his right eye with an unknown object.
"She told me that some guy leaned over the stroller and cut my son and then she immediately notified 911. Notified my wife. He went to the hospital, he got stitches done," the father said.
The NYPD released surveillance video of the suspect running away. They say it happened around 9:30 a.m. at the corner of West 110th Street and Morningside Drive.
The nanny told police no words were exchanged between her and the man, she just heard the toddler cry out when the man got close. She didn't notice a weapon.
"I think it's a random attack. I think we just got very unlucky," the father said.
Police said they're searching for a man with short black hair, 5'6", last seen wearing a white shirt, dark colored shorts, black socks and black sneakers.
Police are offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.