Man Arrested After Allegedly Attacking, Trying To Choke 11-Year-Old Girl At Manhattan Park

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police have made an arrest after a child was attacked at a Manhattan park.

The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Nathaniel Direnzo.

Police say around noon Wednesday, Direnzo began to yell at an 11-year-old girl and her classmates in Stuyvesant Square, then sprayed water at her and tried to attack her.

When the girl tried to fight back, Direnzo allegedly grabbed the 11-year-old by her hair, punched her in the face and wrapped his hands around her neck.

Direnzo is also accused of hitting a 15-year-old boy who tried to intervene.

The 11-year-old girl was taken to a local hospital in stable condition, and the 15-year-old was treated by EMS at the scene.

Direnzo is facing multiple charges, including strangulation and assault.

Editor's note: This story was first published Oct. 23.

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