Fact Check: "25-year-old woman and 11-month-old baby attacked on subway!"
What We Know
On June 20, 2025, a 25-year-old woman and her 11-month-old daughter were reportedly attacked on a subway train in Queens, New York. The incident occurred when the woman declined a request from a man to use her cell phone while they were waiting for the M train at the 36th Street station. After boarding the train, the man allegedly pepper-sprayed both the mother and her child as the train approached the Court Square-23rd Street station. The mother described the attack as sudden and frightening, stating, "A guy just came out of nowhere, and he throws the pepper spray to me and my child" (Eyewitness News). Both victims were taken to Mount Sinai Queens for treatment and were reported to be in stable condition (NBC New York).
Analysis
The reports from multiple sources corroborate the details of the incident, indicating a high level of reliability. Eyewitness News provided a first-hand account from the mother, which adds a personal dimension to the story and emphasizes the emotional impact of the attack. NBC New York and the New York Post also reported similar details, confirming that the attack occurred after the woman refused to lend her phone to the assailant, who then used what was initially described as a "mystery substance," later identified as likely being pepper spray (NBC New York, New York Post).
The consistency across these reports suggests that the claim is credible. However, it's important to note that while the substance was initially referred to as a "mystery substance," police sources indicated it was believed to be pepper spray (New York Post). The absence of the assailant following the attack and the ongoing police investigation further underscore the seriousness of the incident.
Conclusion
The claim that a 25-year-old woman and her 11-month-old baby were attacked on a subway is True. The incident involved a physical assault using pepper spray after a dispute over a cell phone, as reported by multiple reliable news outlets. The emotional and physical consequences of the attack on both the mother and child were significant, highlighting concerns about safety in public transportation.
Sources
- Exclusive: Mother, baby allegedly pepper sprayed on subway after man ...
- Woman, baby pepper-sprayed on Queens subway - NBC New York
- Stranger sprays mystery substance in face of mom, 25, and daughter, 11 ...
- Woman, baby pepper-sprayed on subway in Queens, police say
- Woman, baby sprayed with 'unknown substance' after cellphone dispute on ...