A 7-year-old was walking down a Chicago sidewalk with her older sister when a woman allegedly stabbed her multiple times in the back

A 7-year-old girl was fatally stabbed multiple times in Chicago on Saturday, and her family is calling for justice. The victim, Eddimar Paola Hernandez, was walking with her older sister in the Chatham neighborhood around noon when the incident occurred. Police identified the suspect as 48-year-old Shavon Gayden, according to People. Alderwoman Michelle Harris of the 8th Ward stated that Gayden was allegedly involved in a fight with a staff member at a nearby store just before the attack on Eddimar.

Gayden allegedly stabbed the young girl in the back several times. Security footage appears to show bystanders quickly intervening to restrain Gayden until law enforcement arrived. Police took Gayden into custody immediately, and she has since been charged with first-degree murder. As of now, authorities have not released a motive for the attack.

Court records from the Cook County Circuit Court indicate that Gayden was hospitalized on Monday. She was originally scheduled to appear for a hearing that day. However, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed she could not attend as she remained in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the incident. Prosecutors told the judge that Gayden allegedly pulled a knife from her bag and first lunged at the older sister, who ducked.

The woman charged with murder still hasn’t faced a judge

Gayden then allegedly pulled Eddimar to the ground and stabbed her repeatedly. Eddimar was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The Chicago Police Department confirmed the fatality in a news release on Sunday, though they did not identify the victim at that time. However, family members identified the girl as Eddimar soon after.

When contacted for further details, the Chicago Police Department did not provide additional information. A review of public records shows that Gayden has a history of legal trouble. She had been arrested five times in the past 10 years, facing charges that included aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and domestic battery. Gayden’s mother has since apologized to Eddimar’s family, as she said years of efforts to get her daughter mental health treatment went unanswered.

Eddimar Paola Hernandez’s family remembers the young girl as a happy child. Her stepfather, Pedro Izqueirdo, shared his grief, stating, “She had big dreams.” A vigil was held on Sunday at the spot where the attack took place, as relatives and neighbors gathered to honor Eddimar. The family is now focused on ensuring that her death is not overlooked and that someone is held accountable.

“My daughter’s death should not be left like this,” her mother, Estefany Hernandez, said. “There must be justice for my little girl,” Estefany Hernandez added, noting that Eddimar “wasn’t bothering anyone.” Gayden is currently scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, where a judge is expected to decide whether she should remain in custody while the first-degree murder case against her moves forward.