A 36-year-old man was arrested in Margate, Florida, accused of trying to murder his sister by attacking her with a machete while she was sleeping next to her one-year-old daughter.
The suspect, identified as Ruben Altidor, remains held without bail at the Broward County Main Jail and faces charges of attempted murder and aggravated child abuse.
The victim managed to leave the house to ask for help.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers heard a woman's screams coming from inside the house.
Shortly after, the victim left the residence and told officers someone was trying to kill her.
A cousin of the woman identified the alleged aggressor as Ruben Altidor, the victim's brother.
The woman suffered serious injuries during the attack
According to the police, the woman had profuse bleeding and multiple deep wounds on her legs and hands.
Investigators indicated he had an approximately 10-inch wound on his right thigh that went to the bone, several amputated fingers and a laceration about 4 inches on the back of his right hand.
While being taken to the hospital, the victim stated that her brother had repeatedly attacked her with a machete.
She also stated that during the assault, the suspect told her, “My God, why aren't you dead yet?”, according to the police report.
The baby was sleeping next to her mother
The investigation determined that the victim's one-year-old daughter was sleeping in the same bed when the attack occurred.
Although the minor was very close to the attack, she did not suffer injuries.
Due to the girl's presence during the alleged attack, prosecutors also filed a charge of aggravated child abuse against Altidor.
When inspecting the house, the agents found a large amount of blood in the room where the attack occurred and a trail that extended down the hallway to the outside of the property.
In the kitchen they located the sheath of a machete and, later, they found the weapon that was allegedly used hidden under a bed in another bedroom.
Altidor was arrested at the scene.
The defendant also faces an alleged probation violation.
Jail records indicate that in addition to the new charges, Altidor faces an allegation for allegedly violating the conditions of his probation in connection with a previous aggravated assault case.
So far, authorities have not announced the date of his next court appearance.
