Toddler critically injured after man stabs her, her mother in random attack, says police

WatchToddler critically injured after man stabs her, her mother in random attack, says policeby WKRC

5VIEW ALL PHOTOSA toddler is in the hospital recovering after being critically injured in an attack in Rhode Island last week. (WJAR)Comment on this story0CommentShare storySharetopics: Rhode IslandStabbingToddlerProvidence policeNelson BlancoAssaultGoFundMeIntent to murderPROVIDENCE, R.I. (WKRC) — A toddler is in the hospital recovering after being critically injured in an attack in Rhode Island last week.

A mother and her 2-year-old daughter were stabbed in Providence Wednesday while waiting on the sidewalk for another child to get off a bus. The attack happened in broad daylight and was random, police said.

Both were taken to the hospital, where the mother was said to be in stable condition. The 2-year-old, however, was in critical condition and has undergone three surgeries since Wednesday, and the incident has taken an emotional toll on her family.

"It was unbelievable. Something that was never expected. Something we didn't even think about. Something that will be pretty hard to get over," the girl's uncle, Moises Javier De La Cruz, told WJAR. "Physically, mentally, emotionally, it is a scar that will be there for life."

Following the stabbing, two witnesses could be seen on doorbell camera video chasing the suspect, 46-year-old Nelson Blanco, as one can be heard yelling, "Stop running!" Police arrested Blanco near the scene shortly after.

Nelson Blanco is charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a deadly weapon, breaking and entering, possession of a knife during the commission of a crime of violence and possession of a knife with a blade longer than 3 inches. (Providence Police Department)

Blanco is charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a deadly weapon, breaking and entering, possession of a knife during the commission of a crime of violence and possession of a knife with a blade longer than 3 inches.

According to past reporting from WJAR and police, Blanco was previously arrested in connection with the stabbing of two 7-year-old boys who were playing in their yard in 2003.

As the 2-year-old recovers, her family is asking the community for help covering the expenses of her medical care, as well as supporting her family, as neither of her parents has been able to work following the stabbings. The family set up a GoFundMe, which has, as of Sunday afternoon, raised nearly $38,000.