Omaha Woman Accused in Walmart Attack Had History of Mental Illness

Douglas County officials discuss the case of Noemi Guzman, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity in a prior attack.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:20am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffs or a police badge against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the criminal justice system's approach to mental health cases.A harsh, gritty close-up of a police badge or handcuffs evokes the stark realities of the criminal justice system's handling of mental health cases.Omaha Today

Noemi Guzman, a woman with a history of mental illness, was accused of taking and slashing a 3-year-old boy at an Omaha Walmart. The Douglas County Chief Deputy Attorney discussed Guzman's case, noting that she was found not responsible by reason of insanity after a 2024 incident where she stabbed her father and attacked a priest. Guzman was allowed to live in the community with annual reviews, but the Chief Deputy Attorney says stakeholders are now discussing whether more frequent check-ins or case management could have prevented the latest attack.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges of balancing public safety with providing treatment and support for individuals with serious mental illness. It raises questions about whether the legal system and mental health system are doing enough to monitor and support those found not guilty by reason of insanity when they are allowed to live in the community.

The details

In 2024, Noemi Guzman was found not responsible by reason of insanity after stabbing her father and attacking a priest at St. Frances Cabrini Church. Two doctors agreed she was insane at the time. She was allowed to live in the community but expected to have annual reviews by the Lincoln Regional Center. The Douglas County Chief Deputy Attorney, Brenda Beadle, says Guzman was compliant with her medication and there wasn't a clear reason to keep her in inpatient care or remove her from the community. However, Beadle says stakeholders are now discussing whether more frequent check-ins or case management could have prevented the latest attack.

  • In 2024, Guzman was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
  • Guzman was expected to have annual reviews by the Lincoln Regional Center.

The players

Noemi Guzman

A woman with a history of mental illness who was accused of taking and slashing a 3-year-old boy at an Omaha Walmart.

Brenda Beadle

The Douglas County Chief Deputy Attorney who discussed Guzman's case and the challenges of balancing public safety with providing treatment for those found not guilty by reason of insanity.

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What they’re saying

“She was compliant. She was doing the meds, and there wasn't a reason that really waved a red flag to do anything differently. And the judge made that call.”

— Brenda Beadle, Douglas County Chief Deputy Attorney

What’s next

Stakeholders are discussing whether more frequent check-ins or case management could have prevented the latest attack by Noemi Guzman.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing public safety with providing appropriate treatment and support for individuals with serious mental illness who are found not guilty by reason of insanity. It raises questions about whether the legal and mental health systems need to re-evaluate their approach to monitoring and supporting these individuals when they are allowed to live in the community.