A toddler is in critical condition after being stabbed in the face while in her stroller at a Rhode Island bus stop, with authorities identifying the alleged assailant as Nelson Blanco, 46, a man with a history of violent attacks on children. Blanco was previously accused of stabbing two children over two decades ago, in 2003, and was repeatedly found incompetent to stand trial, with court records indicating he remained so from 2004 through 2006. More recently, he was deemed incompetent in a separate domestic violence case in July, though a judge allowed him to remain in outpatient treatment, considering him unlikely to endanger the community at that time. The 2003 victims, Andy Lopez and Dave Belony, who were 6 and 7 years old at the time of the attack that left them with severe injuries and lasting trauma, recognized Blanco from his booking photo and expressed their devastation and frustration. Lopez, who was stabbed twice in the eye and is now permanently blind in his left eye, lamented that his dreams were derailed, while Belony continues to struggle emotionally from being stabbed multiple times. Both men emphasized their belief that Blanco was given a chance to be held accountable 23 years ago and question what it will take for him to be truly held responsible, especially after this latest horrific incident where the toddler’s mother was also injured. Blanco allegedly told detectives that if he hadn’t been on a main street, he would have killed both the mother and child, and he now faces charges including assault with intent to commit murder.
Adapted from: U.S. News Today on Fox News
