NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The NYPD arrested a man suspected of pepper-spraying a baby girl and her mother on a subway train in Queens last week, authorities said Friday.
Edward Vargas, 34, was arrested Thursday on charges of assault, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with last Friday's attack near the Court Square station in Long Island City.
“It is particularly outrageous when our children are attacked,” Queens D.A. Melinda Katz said in announcing the charges. “As alleged, the defendant chose to retaliate against the victims with pepper spray because he did not get what he wanted. Families have every right to use the subway safely without fear of random violence.”
According to prosecutors, the victims—a 25-year-old woman and her 11-month-old daughter—were attacked aboard a southbound M train around 10:50 a.m.
Moments earlier, the man had asked to use the mom's cellphone to make a call but she ignored him, prosecutors said.
He then followed her onto the train and sat across from the mom and daughter, eventually pulling out a can of pepper spray and spraying them, according to prosecutors.
The victims were struck in the eyes and suffered pain, irritation, redness and breathing issues. They were hospitalized at Mount Sinai Queens.
If convicted, Vargas faces up to seven years in prison.