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, Florida, about 40 miles north of Miami, according to an arrest report cited by WPLG.

During the attack, Altidore reportedly shouted, "Oh my God, why aren’t you dead yet?" as he repeatedly hacked at his sister in her bedroom. 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 her right hand with possible amputation of at least four fingers, near amputations of her left index finger and thumb, and a cut to her left palm with a near amputation of her left thumb, investigators said.

Despite the violent assault, the victim’s 1-year-old daughter, who was lying beside her in bed and covered in blood, was not injured.

After the attack, the victim ran to the middle of the street and then to a neighbor’s front door asking for help. A machete sheath was found in the kitchen, and a machete with what appeared to be blood smudges was discovered under a bed.

Altidore is being held without bond at the Broward County Main Jail. The motive for the attack remains unclear.

Separately, New York City crime policies are under scrutiny after 12-year-old Jacob Freytes was killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx, highlighting ongoing concerns about violent crime.

Notable Quotes

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

Sources