Violent Altercation Erupts During Child Custody Swap in San Antonio

Mother and her friend allegedly assaulted and stabbed the child's father, leaving him in critical condition

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A child exchange in San Antonio turned violent when an argument between a mother and father escalated into an assault and stabbing, leaving the father injured and a second suspect on the run. Police were called to the scene near a local YMCA around 6:40 p.m. on Thursday, where the victim, described as a male in his 20s who came to pick up his child, was stabbed 'multiple, multiple spots' by the mother's friend before fleeing the area using the victim's vehicle. The mother was taken into custody, and investigators were waiting to speak with several witnesses, though no charges have been filed as of yet.

Why it matters

Incidents of violence during child custody exchanges are unfortunately not uncommon, highlighting the need for safe, supervised handoff locations and procedures to protect the wellbeing of children and their parents. This case also raises concerns about domestic violence, the ability of alleged perpetrators to evade law enforcement, and the challenges of resolving custody disputes without escalation.

The details

According to police, the argument between the mother and father began during the child exchange near the YMCA. The mother then allegedly started physically assaulting the father, at which point the mother's friend joined in and stabbed the victim multiple times before fleeing the scene in the victim's vehicle. The father was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, while the mother was taken into custody. Investigators are still gathering information and waiting to speak with witnesses before determining any charges.

  • The incident occurred around 6:40 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Mother

The mother of the child involved in the custody exchange, who allegedly assaulted the father and had a friend join in the attack.

Father

The father of the child, who came to pick up the child and was allegedly assaulted and stabbed multiple times by the mother and her friend.

Friend of the Mother

An unidentified individual who allegedly joined the mother in assaulting the father and then fled the scene in the victim's vehicle.

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What’s next

Investigators are waiting to speak with several witnesses and determine if any charges will be filed against the mother and her friend.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for safe, supervised child custody exchange locations and procedures to prevent escalation of disputes and protect the wellbeing of children and their parents. It also underscores the broader societal challenges of domestic violence and the difficulties in resolving custody battles without violence.