Fact Check: Woman and baby pepper-sprayed on subway after phone refusal

Fact Check: Woman and Baby Pepper-Sprayed on Subway After Phone Refusal

What We Know

On June 20, 2025, a 25-year-old mother and her 11-month-old daughter were reportedly pepper-sprayed on a subway train in Queens, New York. The incident occurred after the mother declined a request from a man to borrow her cell phone while they were waiting for the train at the 36th Street station. After boarding the M train, the man allegedly attacked them with what the mother believed to be pepper spray as the train approached the Court Square-23rd Street station (Eyewitness News, NBC New York). Both victims were treated at Mount Sinai Queens and were reported to be physically okay, though the mother expressed feelings of insecurity following the attack (Eyewitness News).

Analysis

The claim that a woman and her baby were pepper-sprayed on the subway after a phone refusal is supported by multiple news sources. Eyewitness News provided a detailed account of the mother's experience, including her emotional state following the incident and the immediate aftermath where both she and her child were treated at a hospital (Eyewitness News). NBC New York corroborated this account, noting the sequence of events leading to the attack and confirming that the man fled the scene after the assault (NBC New York).

Additionally, the New York Daily News reported on the incident, emphasizing the verbal dispute that preceded the attack, which aligns with the accounts from Eyewitness News and NBC New York (New York Daily News). The consistency across these reports adds credibility to the claim.

While the sources are primarily local news outlets, they are established and reputable in covering incidents in New York City. The emotional and physical impact on the victims, as described by the mother, reflects a serious public safety concern, particularly in urban environments where such random acts of violence can occur.

Conclusion

The claim that a woman and her baby were pepper-sprayed on a subway after the mother refused to let a stranger use her phone is True. Multiple reliable sources have reported on the incident, providing consistent details about the events that transpired and the aftermath for the victims.