Illegal alien punches mother in unprovoked Texas park attack before snatching 3-year-old daughter, biting her arms, eating her face

A brutal, unprovoked attack in San Antonio, Texas, has left a young child seriously injured and a mother reeling after an illegal alien tried to bite her daughter's face off.

According to police and court records obtained by the San Antonio Express, 24-year-old Atharva Vyas, who authorities say entered the country illegally from a foreign nation, has been charged with injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, assault causing bodily injury, and illegal entry. The violent incident unfolded around 3 pm on April 18 at Espada Park on the South Side.

Investigators say the attack happened without warning as Gabriella Perez and her 3-year-old daughter were walking together. Vyas allegedly grabbed Perez by the hair, yanking her to the ground and causing her to drop her child. While Perez was down, police say the suspect turned his attention to the toddler, repeatedly biting her arms and face. 

A bystander managed to intervene and restrain Vyas until authorities arrived. Police noted that the witness had no prior connection to either the victims or the suspect, underscoring the random nature of the attack.

Perez and her daughter were treated for injuries at the scene, but the emotional and physical toll has been profound. In a GoFundMe post, Perez described the assault as “life-changing,” saying she believes she and her child were deliberately targeted.

Her daughter suffered extensive facial injuries, including bite wounds and the loss of two teeth. Beyond the physical damage, the young girl is now grappling with deep emotional trauma. “Since the attack, my daughter has needed constant care, comfort, and reassurance,” Perez wrote. “She is unable to return to daycare or be left with anyone else, so I have had to take time away from work to be by her side.”

Perez added that the family is now facing overwhelming challenges as they focus on the child’s recovery and adjust to new daily realities. “We are reaching out for help during this incredibly difficult time,” she wrote. “Any amount truly makes a difference, and if you're not able to donate, sharing our story means just as much to us.”

Vyas remains in custody at the Bexar County Jail as the investigation continues into the motive for the attack.