Toddler Stabbed, Family Attacked While Stranded On Side Of California Freeway

MENIFEE, Calif. (AP) - A Riverside County man has pleaded not guilty to stabbing a toddler and his parents as their car was stuck on a freeway.

Nicholas Garcia of Sun City was arraigned Wednesday on charges including attempted murder. He's jailed and potentially faces life in prison if convicted.

The 18-month-old boy was in a Mazda that got a flat tire Monday on Interstate 215 in Menifee.

Prosecutors say Garcia walked up to the car, broke a window and stabbed the toddler in the neck with a broken plastic freeway marker. He allegedly slashed the boy's mother, father and two other adults when they tried to intervene, and also set fire to their belongings.

The man was finally arrested and the injured treated for cuts.

There's no word on what prompted the attack.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.