Family of 8-Year-Old Girl Whose Throat Was Slashed on Playground Suing Alleged Perpetrator By Liam Quinn

The family of a Michigan girl whose throat was slashed while at a park in 2024 is suing the man accused of the crime.

The lawsuit was filed by the family of 8-year-old Saida Mashrah against suspect Gary Lansky, 74, on Oct. 22, according to reports from CBS Detroit, the Detroit Free-Press and The Detroit News.

The lawsuit alleges that Lansky approached Saida, who was 7 at the time, at a playground in Dearborn, Mich., grabbed her neck and “dragged his knife across” it, causing blood to gush out, according to a copy of the civil complaint, which was published by Law & Crime.

The suit further alleges that Lansky then tried to stab the girl in the stomach, but that she fell backward before the knife pierced her and was able somehow fight him off and run home.

According to Wayne County, Mich., court records, Lanksy is charged with assault with intention to murder and felonious assault. He has pleaded not guilty and his trial is currently scheduled for December.

CBS Detroit reported that Saida, who has physically recovered since the October 2024 attack, still has emotional scars.

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“I used to go to the park every day with my grandma, until he did this, and now I don’t want to go back,” the girl said, per the outlet.

Saida received 20 stitches as a result of the incident, according to CBS.

“I feel like in my dreams the guy would say I’m coming back for you, and that makes me scared, and that’s why I cry in the middle of the night,” she said, per the outlet.