August 6, 2026

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Florida Man Allegedly Attacked Sister with Machete While She Slept Next to Toddler

A Margate man faces charges including attempted murder and aggravated child abuse after allegedly assaulting his sister with a machete as she slept beside her one-year-old daughter.

U.S.·

Florida Man Allegedly Attacked Sister with Machete While She Slept Next to Toddler

A Florida man stands accused of brutally attacking his sister with a machete while she was asleep in her bed, positioned next to her one-year-old daughter, according to official reports.

Ruben Altidore, 36, allegedly assaulted his sister on Monday in Margate, a city approximately 40 miles north of Miami. Authorities state he repeatedly struck her in her bedroom in what is described as an unsuccessful attempt to end her life, as detailed in an arrest report.

"Oh my God, why aren’t you dead yet?" he reportedly shouted during the assault, according to the same arrest document.

Altidore was taken into custody on Monday in connection with the incident. Jail records indicate he has been charged with attempted felony murder, aggravated child abuse, and violation of probation.

Horrific Attack Unfolds

The victim survived the violent encounter but sustained severe injuries. Her wounds included a 10-inch laceration on the back of her right thigh that reached the bone, a four-inch cut to the back of her right hand with the potential loss of at least four fingers, a near amputation of her left index finger and thumb, and a gash to her left palm that also nearly severed her left thumb, investigators reported.

Following the attack, the victim’s one-year-old daughter was discovered in the bed, covered in blood. However, investigators confirmed that the child did not suffer any physical injuries.

Escape and Investigation

The woman eventually managed to escape the residence and sought assistance from a neighbor. Her frantic screams were reportedly captured on home surveillance footage. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, the woman was heard exclaiming, "My brother is trying to kill me," according to the police report.

A cousin of the victim provided a statement to investigators, corroborating that Altidore had attacked his sister with a machete. A neighbor also reported hearing the victim’s screams after she fled outside following the assault.

"She ran to the middle of the street and then ran to my front door where she was asking for help," neighbor Luis Pereria stated. "Apparently she was sleeping when this all happened. I was just baffled by it. How can you do that?"

Inside the victim’s bedroom, investigators found a significant amount of blood, which tracked through the hallway, to a bathroom door, and out of the home. A machete sheath was located in the kitchen, and a machete, appearing to have "red smudges," was discovered beneath a bed, according to investigators.

Suspect Charged, Motive Unknown

Altidore has been transported to the Broward County Main Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. At this time, a motive for the brutal attack has not been disclosed.

Florida manmachete attackattempted murderaggravated child abuseMargate crimeRuben Altidoredomestic violenceBroward County

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