Man Intentionally Jumps On 3-Week-Old Baby Sleeping In Tent: 'Could Be A Hate Crime'

A 3-week-old baby was taken to hospital and a mother was injured in New Zealand after an 18-year-old man allegedly jumped on them as they lay in a tent. Police are investigating whether the alleged assault was a "hate crime."

Christchurch imam Gamal Fouda said a young man jumped on the baby and mother as they lay in a tent at Scarborough Park in Sumner, Christchurch, at around 8 p.m. on Saturday, Stuff reported.

According to Fouda, who was there at the time, the man, whose name was not disclosed, made racist comments to the family after the incident, including "go back to your country," and told them they "can't even speak English."

The baby was taken to the hospital but was not injured in the incident, the report said. The mother suffered a sore neck and a cut on her foot. Their names were also not released.

The hospital discharged them at about 7 a.m. Sunday, Fouda said.

The man, who was with a group of friends, fled the scene in a car driven by one of his friends after the attack.

A group of people, including Fouda, chased him and stood in front of the car.

"One person came out from the car with a metal bar and attacked others, but we stopped him and got the bar from him and it was given to police as evidence," Fouda said.

The group apprehended the alleged attacker and called the police at 8:23 p.m. A "Kiwi hero" held the man until police arrived at the scene at about 10 p.m. and took the attacker into custody, RNZ reported, citing Fouda's statement.

According to Fouda, it was a serious incident.

"It could be a hate crime,'' Fouda said. "The man watched the family for some time and then waited when a 3-week-old baby was inside a small tent with a young woman, then he jumped and landed on the lady and the baby."

Fouda said police had told him the suspect would be charged with a "hate crime with intentions to harm a baby."

A police spokesperson told Stuff that they responded to a disorder incident on Heberden Avenue in Sumner at around 10 p.m. and took an 18-year-old man into custody.

The investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing, they added.

The police spokesperson also said that the suspect is scheduled to appear in District Court Wednesday.

Police were still investigating whether there was any hate or racial motivation behind the attack, the spokesperson said.