Man Wanted for Assaulting Woman Walking 2-Year-Old in Howell.

HOWELL — A quiet neighborhood morning turned into a scene of terror this week after a woman pushing her 2-year-old child in a stroller was violently attacked by an unidentified man, launching an urgent manhunt and igniting outrage across Monmouth County.

Police say the suspect — described as a man in his 20s to 30s — struck without warning, leaving the mother bruised, shaken, and terrified for her baby's safety. Detectives are combing through surveillance video, interviewing nearby residents, and urging the public to help identify the attacker before he strikes again.

What was supposed to be a simple walk became another entry in New Jersey’s growing list of unpredictable, street-level threats that shatter the illusion of suburban calm.

A MORNING WALK TURNS VIOLENT

According to Howell Township Police, the attack happened around mid-morning on a residential stretch often busy with joggers, dog-walkers, and parents with strollers.

Investigators say the victim was pushing her toddler when the suspect approached her from behind. At first, there was no sign of trouble. The area wasn’t isolated. It wasn’t late at night. It was the kind of routine, everyday outing countless families take without a second thought.

Then — without a word — the man allegedly lunged.

Authorities say the suspect grabbed and assaulted the woman with enough force to knock her off balance while the stroller skidded forward. The mother fought back, screaming to protect her child as neighbors rushed outside to see what was happening. The suspect fled before anyone could confront him.

Police are withholding certain details about the nature of the assault but confirm it was physical, sudden, and deeply disturbing, especially given that a small child was caught in the middle.

THE CHILD WASN’T INJURED — BUT THE IMPACT RUNS DEEP

Miraculously, the 2-year-old in the stroller was not physically harmed. But police say the emotional weight of the attack is enormous.

“This was a mother simply walking with her child in broad daylight,” one detective said. “This kind of violence feels personal to every parent in this town.”

Howell Township residents are shaken. What happened didn’t unfold in a high-crime corridor or late at night — it happened in the very environment families trust most: their own neighborhood blocks.

SURVEILLANCE CLUES AND A COMMUNITY ON EDGE

Detectives have pulled footage from multiple homes in the area, including doorbell cameras. Several images appear to show a man matching the suspect’s description walking through the neighborhood minutes before the assault.

Police believe he may live nearby or have ties to the area, because the attack seemed “purposeful but opportunistic.”

Officers canvassed the neighborhood for hours, knocking on doors, speaking to homeowners, and collecting tips. They’ve also increased patrols in several sections of the township — a move meant both to reassure families and prevent any potential repeat incident.

Residents say they’re locking doors earlier, keeping porch lights on longer, and staying off walking routes they’ve used for years.

“It’s unsettling,” said one Howell mother of three. “That could’ve been any of us.”

POLICE ASK: DO YOU RECOGNIZE HIM?

Authorities released a general description of the suspect and are preparing to release images from nearby cameras once they are fully enhanced and verified.

They’re asking anyone who saw suspicious activity — no matter how small — to call Howell Township Police immediately.

“Even the smallest detail can break a case open,” a spokesperson said. “We need the community to stay vigilant.”

FEAR, OUTRAGE, AND A DEMAND FOR ANSWERS

As word of the attack spreads, frustration is rising. Many residents want faster moves from local officials, others want more surveillance infrastructure, and some simply want to know why violence keeps creeping closer to home.

The attack is now the latest moment fueling conversations about safety in New Jersey communities that once prided themselves on being untouched by the kinds of street assaults more common in dense urban areas.

But Howell is now staring at a harsh truth: no community is immune.

THE MANHUNT CONTINUES

As of now, the suspect is still on the run — and investigators say they’re not slowing down.

Police are reviewing leads in real time, boosting patrol visibility, and coordinating with other Monmouth County agencies in case the attacker attempts to flee or strike elsewhere.