She smiled back.
A 9-year-old Bronx girl who was too scared to step outside after being mauled by a deranged homeless man in Grand Central Terminal is smiling during a free trip to a New Jersey theme park this week. I got it back.
On Monday, Kimberly Tapia was invited by the American Dream shopping mall to enjoy mechanical animal rides, mini golf and a mirror maze at Nickelodeon Universe, the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere.
The American Dream Team, moved by the Post’s reporting about Kimberly, contacted Kimberly’s mother, Juana Tapia, to arrange the day, mall spokesman Greg Schwartz said. It is said that the information went through city hall and NYPD officials.
“They called and said, ‘Let’s go play a game.’ Kimberly was so excited,” Tapia told the Post.
“They took us to games, they bought us candy, they bought us teddy bears, they bought us ice cream. . . . They welcomed us very well. ” recalled the 36-year-old mother. “She was very happy.”
In addition to the attractions, Schwartz said the Tapias enjoyed a free lunch at Mr. Beast Burger and a “candy raid” at the three-story candy shop It Sugar.
American Dream even put Kimberly’s name on Nickelodeon’s signature giant slime bucket.
“It was a special day that brought smiles to the faces of children in need of joy. We were happy to be able to brighten her day, and she brightened ours as well. ,” Schwartz said.
Members of the National Association of Latino Police Advocates escorted Tapia and his colleagues from their apartment in the Bronx to the scene in East Rutherford and back.
Officers gave the young man some advice following the April 13 attack that left her bruised and traumatized.
“They told her, ‘Don’t be afraid, it’s okay, everything will be fine,'” Juana Tapia recalled, adding: [Kimberly] it was fun. Because I was still scared before I went. ”
Additional reporting by Tina Moore
