A 3-year-old girl suffered severe trauma during an alleged attack in a San Antonio park, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Gabriella Perez and her child were fishing when Atharva Vyas, an illegal alien, violently grabbed Perez by her hair, caused her to drop the toddler, and attacked the child with bite marks that knocked out two teeth.
Perez described witnessing the assault in a statement: “She’s lashing out, angry. She doesn’t understand evil like this fking man. She’ll never be the same again.” Witnesses intervened, with two Texans reportedly pointing guns at Vyas to subdue him. The incident occurred on April 18 during an outdoor activity at the park.
DHS identified Vyas as having entered the U.S. on a student visa in August 2023. He was arrested just three months later for assault at the University of Texas but had his visa not revoked by the Biden administration, which deemed the offense “not egregious” enough to warrant revocation. The Trump administration subsequently revoked his F-1 visa in April 2025, according to DHS. Following new allegations of violence, Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a detainer request for Vyas.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated: “This criminal illegal alien brutally bit this child and caused her to lose two teeth. This barbaric assault against this woman and her three-year-old in a park was completely preventable.” She added that the Biden administration “NEVER should have released this animal” after his prior arrest for assault.
Perez confirmed the child’s life-altering trauma, including fear of sleep and behavioral changes. The victim’s family emphasized their focus on healing while sharing images of the injuries sustained. Law enforcement reports indicated Vyas was allegedly under the influence of “wax,” a highly concentrated cannabis substance equivalent to smoking up to 20 joints.
