The 3-year-old boy who was slashed in the face by a knife-wielding wannabe kidnapper outside of a Nebraska Walmart is out of surgery and recovering with his family.
Little Cyler Hillman was sitting safely in his dad’s lap wrapped in a blanket with a stuffed animal, with stitches on his face and hand, according to a family photo obtained by KETV after Tuesday’s harrowing attack.
His parents described the brave boy as their little cowboy and said he’ll make a full recovery, according to the outlet.
Hillman was knifed in the face by a woman, identified as 31-year-old Noemi Guzman, who was then fatally shot by police outside of the Omaha Walmart around 9 a.m.
Guzman allegedly stole a knife in the store and confronted the child and a caretaker in an aisle before forcing them through the store and into the parking lot, police said.
Outside, Guzman “took possession of the child, essentially kidnapping the child,” Deputy Chief Scott Gray told reporters at a press conference.
When cops arrived, Guzman continued to make threats with the knife and — after ignoring several pleas from officers to drop the weapon — slashed the boy, authorities said.
Body camera footage captured a wide-eyed Guzman, who had dyed red hair, a purple tank top, and plaid pants, holding the large knife up near the boy’s face just as cops drew their guns and fired.
The child was being rushed to the hospital for a large laceration across the left side of his face and on his hand.
