Who is Atharva Vyas? Indian-origin student arrested for allegedly attacking US woman, biting her child

The family of the victim alleged that the attacker bit the toddler and knocked out two of her teeth, leaving her seriously injured.

As per the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the arrested person was identified as 24-year-old Atharva Vyas.

The horrific April 18 attack in a San Antonio park left 3-year-old Amelia Perez with deep scratches and bite wounds across her face, two teeth knocked out, and life-changing trauma, her family told New York Post.

Her mother, Gabriella Perez, told the newspaper, "That brute was ravaging my baby!"

"She’s terrified to sleep. She’s lashing out, angry. She doesn’t understand evil like this f–king man. She’ll never be the same again," she said.

Sharing details about the attack,  the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement: "The attack began as Vyas forcefully grabbed Perez by the hair, causing her daughter to fall from her arms."

"While Perez was on the floor, Vyas assaulted the child, causing bodily and facial injuries, including bite marks and the loss of two teeth," the statement said.

Vyas was jailed in the Bexar County Detention Center and charged with injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, assault causing bodily injury and illegal entry from a foreign nation, according to court records, reported The New York Post.

Who is Atharva Vyas?

As per the Department's website, Vyas  first entered the country in August 2023 on a student visa.

Just three months after his entry, he was arrested at the University of Texas campus for felony assault.

The University of Texas Police contacted ICE.

"And yet, the Biden Administration determined this crime was not 'egregious' enough to warrant visa revocation and decided to take no enforcement action against Vyas," the statement said.

On April 18, 2026, ICE lodged a detainer requesting San Antonio turn Vyas over to ICE once he faces the American justice system.

“This criminal illegal alien brutally bit this child and caused her to lose two teeth. This barbaric assault against this woman and her three-year-old in a park was completely preventable,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “The Biden administration NEVER should have released this animal following his arrest for assault. We are working with our partners in Texas to ensure this criminal illegal alien never roams free in American communities again.”

In April 2025, the Trump Administration revoked his F-1 visa due to his arrest for assault.