{"id":93577,"date":"2026-01-08T11:52:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T11:52:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/93577\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T11:52:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T11:52:34","slug":"mental-health-evaluation-ordered-for-woman-accused-of-stabbing-tourist-in-manhattan-macys-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/93577\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental health evaluation ordered for woman accused of stabbing tourist in Manhattan Macy’s"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 A New York City judge on Wednesday ordered a mental health evaluation for a Massachusetts woman charged in the unprovoked stabbing of a tourist changing her baby\u2019s diaper in a bathroom of Macy\u2019s flagship store in midtown Manhattan around the holidays.<\/p>\n

Kerri Aherne, 43, of Tewksbury, will be examined by mental health professionals to determine whether she\u2019s fit to stand trial, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg\u2019s office. <\/p>\n

She pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, assault, endangering the welfare of a child and other charges during her arraignment Wednesday in Manhattan court. <\/p>\n

Aherne\u2019s lawyer Kevin Sylvan didn\u2019t immediately respond to an email seeking comment but told the Daily News<\/a> that his client\u2019s mental state is \u201cthe only relevant issue right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The newspaper reports that 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.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors say that on Dec. 11, Aherne purchased a knife at the Macy\u2019s store in Herald Square, went up to a seventh-floor bathroom and began stabbing a woman who was changing her child\u2019s diaper. <\/p>\n

The victim, a California resident, eventually managed to grab the knife and toss it away. Aherne was restrained by the victim\u2019s partner and store security until police arrived.<\/p>\n

The victim was stabbed in the back, arm and hand. Her 10-month-old baby, who fell from the changing table onto the floor during the attack, was not injured.<\/p>\n

Macy\u2019s issued a statement at the time saying it was \u201cdeeply saddened\u201d by the attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thousands of families that visit Manhattan during the holiday season deserve to be safe while shopping and celebrating with their loved ones,\u201d Bragg added in a statement Wednesday. <\/p>\n

Ahern remains in custody. Her next court date is Feb. 11.<\/p>\n

\t
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