10-year-old Oregon girl shields younger siblings from their father after he slits their mother’s throat

GRESHAM, OR – An Oregon man who launched a brutal assault on the mother of his children and threatened the lives of her and their children has pleaded guilty and is pending sentencing. The incident, which occurred in 2021, has spotlighted the harrowing impact of domestic violence.

Manuel Jesus Huchin-Interian entered a guilty plea on April 18 on charges of second-degree assault constituting domestic violence. This comes following a harrowing episode witnessed by the couple’s then-10-year-old daughter. The attack left the mother with a severe neck wound, though she miraculously survived.

The assault took place on June 7, 2021, at the family’s residence in Gresham, a suburb east of Portland. The couple’s daughter, who witnessed the brutal act, attempted to protect her mother by grabbing a knife, which proved ineffective. Acting swiftly, she then gathered her siblings and secured them in a separate room before calling 911.

Throughout the ordeal, the daughter stayed on the line with emergency dispatch until Huchin-Interian fled. Upon emerging from the room, she found her mother gravely injured but still alive, refuting her father’s menacing threats to “finish” her and their children.

Local authorities arrested Huchin-Interian in San Francisco in March 2024, months after he had gone on the run. The daughter’s brave actions have been lauded by Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Robin Beck Skarstad, who emphasized the profound impact of domestic violence on children and commended the young girl’s courage and resilience.

Reports indicate that during police questioning post-attack, the mother revealed Huchin-Interian had accused her of infidelity before attacking her. The episode has thrust into the spotlight the pressing need to address and eradicate domestic violence and support affected families.

Huchin-Interian faces a sentence of 70 months imprisonment, along with three years of post-prison supervision, underscoring the severity of his actions and the judicial system’s stance against domestic violence offenses.

The case serves as a sobering reminder of the enduring effects such violence has on families and the resiliency and strength seen in the face of horrific circumstances. The young girl’s swift response and determination to protect her family marks a poignant narrative in an otherwise grim incident, reinforcing the continuous efforts required to safeguard vulnerable individuals.