Man allegedly tried to kill child

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) - A 28-year-old man is charged with the attempted murder of a seven-year-old girl.

A woman called 911 just after 2 p.m. New Year's Eve to report a man was attacking her child. Police say the woman said, "79 Monroe, he is killing my baby" before the line was disconnected.

Lockport Police responded to Lock and Monroe Streets and say they found David Alfonso covered in blood at the intersection. Alfonso allegedly smeared blood on a police car and refused to stop. Police say they were forced to taser him. Alfonso was then taken to Lockport Hospital for treatment.

Officers continued on to the home on Monroe Street where they say they found 27-year-old Cassandra Castro armed with a butcher knife. She was disarmed and police say she told officers Alfonso had just tried to kill her daughter. Police searched the home, but did not find the child.

A call came into police saying the child had been found at her grandmother's home on Church Street, where she had apparently run to after being assaulted. Police say Alfonso had choked the girl until she blacked out and then tried to rip off the girl's jaw and rip out her teeth and tongue. Police say Castro apparently stabbed Alfonso in an attempt to stop the assault, but that it had no effect. Castro was not sure when her daughter fled the home.

The child was taken to Children's Hospital and is in stable condition. She could not speak to police about the attack due to her injuries.

After being treated, Alfonso was taken back to the police station, where he was charged with second degree attempted murder, second degree strangulation and second degree assault. Police say they do not yet know the motive behind the attack.