Family of slain NYC 12-year-old demands justice, calls for tougher crime laws
New York City’s approach to crime is under renewed pressure following the death of 12-year-old Jacob Freytes, who was killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx. His mother, Migdalia Martinez, and sister, Angelica Coriano, appeared on “Fox & Friends” to call for justice and criticize the suspect’s extensive arrest history. Martinez said repeat offenders appear to feel safer than ever under current policies.
A Florida man has been accused of attacking his sister with a machete while she slept in bed beside her 1-year-old daughter, authorities said.
Ruben Altidore, 36, allegedly struck his sister multiple times inside her bedroom Monday in Margate, a city roughly 40 miles north of Miami, in what investigators described as an attempted killing, according to an arrest report cited by WPLG.
“Oh my God, why aren’t you dead yet?” he yelled during the assault, the arrest report said.
Altidore was taken into custody Monday after the attack. Jail records show he faces charges of attempted felony murder, aggravated child abuse and violation of probation.
Ruben Altidore, 36, is accused of repeatedly hacking at his sister with a machete in her bedroom. (Broward County Sheriff’s Office)
His sister survived but sustained severe injuries, officials said.
Investigators said her injuries included a 10-inch wound to the back of her right thigh that reached the bone, a four-inch cut to the back of her right hand with the possible amputation of at least four fingers, near amputations of her left index finger and thumb, and a cut to her left palm that also nearly severed her left thumb.
The victim’s 1-year-old daughter was found after the attack lying in the bed covered in blood, though investigators said the child was not injured.
The woman eventually managed to escape and ran to a neighbor for help, WPLG reported, adding that her piercing screams were captured on home surveillance video.
Ruben Altidore was being held without bond at the Broward County Main Jail. (Getty Images)
“My [brother] is trying to kill me,” the woman reportedly screamed as investigators arrived at the scene, according to the police report.
A cousin of the victim also told investigators that Altidore attacked his sister with a machete, and a neighbor reported hearing the victim screaming after she ran outside following the attack.
“She ran to the middle of the street and then ran to my front door where she was asking for help,” neighbor Luis Pereria told WPLG. “Apparently she was sleeping when this all happened. I was just baffled by it. How can you do that?”
Investigators found a large amount of blood inside the victim’s bedroom that was tracked into the hallway, to a bathroom door and outside the home.
Ruben Altidore was charged with attempted felony murder, aggravated child abuse and violation of probation. (Broward County Sheriff’s Office)
A machete sheath was discovered in the kitchen, and a machete was found under a bed with what appeared to be “red smudges,” investigators said.
Altidore was taken to the Broward County Main Jail and is being held without bond.
A motive for the attack remains unclear at this time.
