Homeless Woman Stabs Victim in NYC Macy’s Bathroom

A homeless woman from Massachusetts, who recently left a psychiatric hospital, has been accused of stabbing another woman in a Macy’s restroom in New York City. Authorities say Kelly Ahern, 43, claimed she heard voices urging her to “kill someone or be killed.”

The incident happened on Thursday when Ahern allegedly attacked a mother changing her baby in the bathroom of Macy’s Herald Square. The victim, reported to be from California, was taken to Bellevue Hospital but was released the following day.

Ahern faces serious charges, including attempted murder, two counts of assault, weapon possession, and endangering a child’s welfare. Police categorized the assault as unprovoked, and Ahern is currently being held without bail.

Court documents indicate that Ahern’s last known residence was Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and she has struggled with mental health issues for years. According to prosecutor claims, she disclosed to officers that she had been released from Manhattan Psychiatric Center just hours before the stabbing.

She reportedly admitted to purchasing a knife at Macy’s, intending to find someone to attack because she was compelled by a voice in her head. In the past, records from 2019 revealed her competency was questioned, leading to her mother and sister being appointed as her guardians. Ahern had also entered a treatment program requiring her to continue the use of Prolixin, an antipsychotic medication.

Interestingly, Ahern’s Facebook account has been inactive since 2018, and in one of her final posts, she mentioned feeling like she was “going a little crazy,” sharing a moment from a Michael Jackson music video.

During her arraignment on Friday, her lawyer signaled plans to seek bail in the future. However, when the judge decided that she would remain in custody without bail until her next hearing, Ahern expressed a desperate wish to avoid being sent back to a mental health facility, insisting that she didn’t find help at Manhattan Psychiatric Center.

She is due back in court on December 17th.