A mother and her three-year-old daughter survived a horrifying attack at a San Antonio park when an illegal alien allegedly punched the mother in the face and attempted to bite off the child’s face. The suspect, 24-year-old Atharva Vyas, now faces multiple serious charges including injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, aggravated assault, and illegal entry from a foreign nation.
Unprovoked Attack Leaves Family Traumatized
Gabriella Perez, 27, was enjoying a day at the park with her family on April 18, 2026, when Vyas approached without warning. According to police reports and court records, he grabbed Perez by the hair and struck her in the face with enough force to knock her down. The impact caused her to drop her three-year-old daughter, who then became Vyas’s primary target. Witnesses reported seeing him attempt to gouge at Perez’s eyes with his thumb before turning his attention to the child.
Perez described the attack as being like a scene from a horror movie. She watched helplessly as Vyas positioned himself on top of her daughter and began biting the child’s face. The little girl suffered severe facial injuries, including the loss of two teeth, and has been left emotionally scarred by the incident. A courageous bystander physically restrained Vyas until San Antonio Police Department officers arrived at the scene. He was arrested immediately and transported to Bexar County Jail.
Lasting Impact on Young Victim
The aftermath of the attack has been devastating for both mother and daughter. The three-year-old remains terrified and refuses to attend daycare or be separated from her mother. She requires constant reassurance and comfort as the family works through the trauma. The child’s injuries extend beyond the physical damage to her face and teeth. She faces ongoing medical needs, dental work, and therapy to help her process the violent encounter she experienced.
Financial Burden and Community Support
Perez has been forced to take time away from work to care for her daughter full-time, creating additional financial strain during an already difficult period. The family established a fundraising campaign to help cover medical bills, dental procedures, therapy costs, and lost wages. Police confirmed that Vyas was a complete stranger to the victims with no prior connection to the family. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to understand what motivated the unprovoked assault. Vyas faces a combination of state and federal charges related to the attack and his immigration status.
