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.
Responders attempted life-saving measures on Guzman, but she died at the scene from her wounds, cops said.
The child was rushed to the hospital and treated for a large laceration across the left side of his face and on his hand.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer lauded the responding officers for acting “with professionalism and direct action to intervene and save a child’s life.”
Guzman’s motive remains unclear, but she has a history of violence and mental illness.
In 2024, she broke into a church and threatened a priest after she attacked her father and tried to set his house on fire, according to the Omaha World-Herald.
A judge found her not responsible by reason of insanity on charges of second-degree assault, first-degree arson, burglary and criminal mischief.
She was ordered to remain on medication and continue to see a psychiatrist.
Guzman had previously been convicted of assaulting another woman in 2018. She was sentenced to two years of probation but released after five months due to good behavior.