British Columbia

Charges laid after mother assaulted while breastfeeding

Police say a 26-year-old woman has been charged after allegedly assaulting a mother who was breastfeeding her baby in East Vancouver on Thursday.

26-year-old suspect charged with assault after allegedly attacking woman, who was in a car with family

A close up picture of two Vancouver Police officers with jackets and walkie-talkies on their chests.
The Vancouver Police Department says a 26-year-old woman has been charged with assault after a mother was attacked in her parked vehicle. (Maggie MacPherson/CBC)

Police say a 26-year-old woman has been charged after allegedly assaulting a mother who was breastfeeding her baby in East Vancouver on Thursday.

Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin said in a Friday statement that the attack happened near the intersection of Commercial Drive and East 2nd Avenue around 2:15 p.m. PT on Thursday.

A 32-year-old mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy in the back seat of a parked car, police say, when someone she didn't know opened the door and entered the vehicle.

"The victim and witnesses say the suspect was reaching for and grabbing at the mother and baby," Visintin said.


Police say the mother was in the car with her husband and another family member. She suffered minor injuries while the baby was unharmed. 

"Bystanders and other witnesses, they intervened," Visintin said. "They were able to hold the person down until police arrived."

Visintin said the motive for the attack is unknown, and an investigation is ongoing.