Suspect in Toddler Stabbing Was Previously Ruled Incompetent for Trial
Nelson Blanco, accused of stabbing a toddler and her mother in Providence, has a history of violent incidents, including an attack on two children over two decades ago.
A man accused of stabbing a toddler in the face while she sat in her stroller at a Rhode Island bus stop has a history of violent encounters, including an attack on two children more than 20 years ago. Nelson Blanco, 46, faces charges including assault with intent to commit murder following the Wednesday afternoon incident in Providence.
The toddler was critically injured and taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Her mother, who sustained a shoulder wound, was treated and released. Police stated there is no evidence Blanco knew the victims. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Blanco approach the mother and daughter, make insulting comments, and then attack the child with a knife after the mother attempted to move away.
Blanco was apprehended by officers hiding in a nearby home's basement and a knife was recovered. He reportedly admitted to the stabbings during questioning, telling detectives he would have killed both victims if they had been on a side street. He faces six charges, including two counts of assault with intent to commit murder, felony assault, breaking and entering, and weapons charges.
During his court appearance, Blanco was referred for a competency evaluation. He is being held without bail pending a competency hearing. This latest arrest has resurfaced a 2003 incident where Blanco attacked two boys, then aged 6 and 7, while they were playing. Court records from that case indicate repeated findings of Blanco being incompetent to stand trial from 2004 to 2006.
More recently, in July, Blanco was deemed incompetent to stand trial in a separate domestic violence case. A judge permitted him to remain in outpatient treatment at that time, assessing him as unlikely to pose a danger to himself or the community. The 2003 victims, Andy Lopez and Dave Belony, shared that the prior attack left them with lasting physical and emotional trauma, including permanent vision loss for Lopez and multiple stab wounds for Belony. They expressed devastation for the current victims and frustration over Blanco's past encounters with the justice system.