NYC girl, 12, left clinging to life in stepfather’s violent stabbing rampage that also injured her mom: cops

A horrifying incident unfolded in the Bronx earlier this week, leaving a 12-year-old girl fighting for her life after being stabbed in the head by her stepfather. The stepfather, identified as Joshua Burnside, 28, also attacked the girl’s mother in a violent rampage that echoed through their building on East 173rd Street near Boone Avenue in Charlotte Gardens.

According to police reports, Burnside repeatedly stabbed the pre-teen in the head and slashed her face during the terrifying ordeal. He also stabbed his 31-year-old wife in the stomach and slashed her face as well. The screams of the family could be heard by neighbors, with one resident mentioning that all she could hear was screams and desperation, causing her to stay inside out of fear.

The attack took place around 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday, with two younger children, a 5-year-old boy, and a 2-year-old girl, present in the apartment at the time. Fortunately, they were unharmed during the violent outburst. The injured 12-year-old girl was rushed to Cohen Children’s Medical Center in critical condition, suffering from facial bruising along with the stab wounds. Her mother and the younger children were taken to Jacobi Medical Center in stable condition.

Burnside, who was found with an injury to his left wrist, was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital in stable condition. He has been arrested and charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and acting in a manner injurious to a child. His arraignment was pending as of Friday evening.

Neighbors revealed that the family was new to the building, having only moved in a week prior to the incident. One neighbor mentioned that the mother had come out running and banging on doors for help during the attack. The apartment door on the sixth floor still bore bloody fingerprints and showed signs of being dented at the bottom.

Police are investigating whether there was a history of domestic violence within the family. The community is shocked and saddened by the violent episode that has left a young girl fighting for her life and a family traumatized by the events that unfolded in their home.