New Mexico – A New Mexico man was indicted on multiple feIony charges after allegedly assauIting a child, 8, with a broken gIass bottIe at a local restaurant.
The 24-year-old defendant, NichaIas, faces charges including child abuse resulting in great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a deadIy weapon, and aggravated assauIt with a deadIy weapon. The incident occurred last month at a New Mexico restaurant located near the University of New Mexico.
According to court documents, the defendant allegedly broke a glass bottIe over the child’s head and then used the broken gIass to sIash her neck. The child was dining with her family when the unprovoked attack took place. The defendant reportedly told responding officers that he assaulted the girl because ‘the child got in his path.’
The victim sustained multiple lacerations and required nearly two dozen stitches but is expected to recover. Her father, Briton, expressed shock and relief, stating, “We’re extremely lucky that our daughter wasn’t hurt any worse than she was or even killed.”
The parent also recounted that when he found his child inside the restaurant, she was soaking wet. She told him that someone had approached her from behind and struck her on the head with a glass bottle.
Following the alleged attack on his daughter, the parent said the defendant stood back up and pulled out a knife. At first, he believed the weapon might be intended for him, but he soon realized the suspect’s attention had shifted back toward his child. The parent said he positioned himself between the man and the child to protect her.
The defendant pleaded not guilty during his arraignment and is currently being held without bond at the detention center. If convicted, he faces up to 22.5 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 18 years for the child abuse charge, according to District Attorney Bergman.
The case remains under investigation.
