MONROE, N.C. — A 2-year-old boy was airlifted to a Charlotte hospital after a home invasion in Union County on Tuesday afternoon, Monroe Police said.
The incident happened a little after 2:30 p.m. at a home on East Talleyrand Avenue, just off East Franklin Street and Morgan Mill Road. The adult victim called the police, telling dispatchers that a man attacked her while she was going inside the house with the toddler. The robber demanded cash during the assault, according to police.
"He attacked her as she was re-entering the home," Lt. Morgan Malone said. "He attacked her from behind going into the home."
Malone said there isn't any clear evidence that suggests the victim, who is Hispanic, was targeted based on her race.
During the confrontation, a 2-year-old boy suffered second-degree burns to his face and head. The child was airlifted to Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center for further treatment. The woman was released from the hospital on Tuesday. Police said the child is in stable condition and is now being treated at the Wake Forest Burn Center.
The victim told WCNC Charlotte she did not know the suspect and he stole $300 from her. She said she was watching the boy and two other children for her friends at the time of the attack. The woman had a black eye and visible bruising and cuts on her forehead and hand.
She said the attacker beat her and burned both her and the boy and now she is terrified to leave her house.
The attacker was last seen wearing a red shirt with stripes and a black head wrap. Police said on Wednesday he may also have been wearing red shoes. He ran away from the victim's home before police arrived and hasn't been caught.
"I think it's concerning for it to happen anywhere, especially as heinous as it was," Malone said.
No arrests have been made in the case. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Union County Crime Stoppers at 704-283-5600., Witnesses may also call Monroe Police at 704-282-4700.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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