A Florida man, Ruben Altidore, 36, has been charged with attempted felony murder, aggravated child abuse, and violation of probation after allegedly attacking his sister with a machete while she was sleeping next to her 1-year-old daughter. The incident occurred on Monday, August 3rd, 2026, in Margate, a city about 40 miles north of Miami.

According to an arrest report cited by WPLG, Altidore repeatedly hacked at his sister in her bedroom in an unsuccessful attempt to kill her. During the attack, he reportedly shouted, "Oh my God, why aren’t you dead yet?"

The victim sustained severe injuries, including a 10-inch wound reaching the bone on the back of her right thigh, a four-inch laceration on the back of her right hand with possible amputation of at least four fingers, near amputation of her left index finger and thumb, and a cut to her left palm with a near amputation of her left thumb, investigators said.

Her 1-year-old daughter was found lying in the bed covered in blood but was not injured, according to officials.

After the attack, the victim ran to the middle of the street and then to a neighbor's front door seeking help. Altidore was taken into custody and is being held without bond at the Broward County Main Jail. A motive for the attack remains unclear.

Separately, New York City crime policies are under scrutiny following the death of 12-year-old Jacob Freytes, who was killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx.

Notable Quotes

  • "She ran to the middle of the street and then ran to my front door where she was asking for help," a witness said.
  • "Apparently she was sleeping when this all happened. I was just baffled by it. How can you do that?"

Sources