A 24-year-old illegal alien stands accused of brutally attacking a mother and her three-year-old daughter at a San Antonio park, leaving the child with severe facial injuries and permanent trauma that has completely upended their lives.
The Attack
Atharva Vyas approached 27-year-old Gabriella Perez without warning on April 18, 2026, while she was at the park with her family. According to police reports and court records, Vyas grabbed Perez by the hair and punched her in the face, knocking her down. She dropped her three-year-old daughter in the fall. Vyas then attacked the child, attempting to gouge her eyes with his thumb before biting her face repeatedly. A brave bystander physically restrained Vyas until San Antonio Police Department officers arrived. Perez described the unprovoked assault as being like a scene from a horror movie.
The Aftermath
The little girl suffered severe facial injuries, lost two teeth, and now refuses to attend daycare or be separated from her mother. Perez has been forced to take time away from work to provide constant care and comfort. The family has set up a fundraiser to cover medical bills, dental work, therapy, lost wages, and ongoing medical needs. Vyas was booked into the Bexar County Jail on multiple serious charges including injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, aggravated assault, assault causing bodily injury, and illegal entry from a foreign nation.
What This Means
Police confirmed Vyas was a complete stranger to the victims with no prior connection. The investigation remains ongoing. The family continues to seek support as they focus on the child’s physical and emotional recovery from injuries that have left permanent scars both visible and psychological. The case highlights growing concerns about public safety and border security enforcement in Texas communities.
