Woman Attacks 9-Year-Old, Sending Him To Hospital In Marin County: Police

NOVATO, CA — A woman attacked a 9-year-old Wednesday in Novato and attempted to steal his bike, causing the boy to be hospitalized, police said.

Around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Novato Police Department officers said the responded to an apartment complex after receiving a report that a woman, later identified as Khadija Sultan, 29, of Brentwood, was hitting a young boy and attempting to steal his bicycle.

While officers were on the way, they said community members restrained Sultan to stop the attack on the child.

"While we do not typically encourage community members to become physically involved with in-progress crimes for safety reasons, however we thank and commend our neighbors who intervened to protect this young child," police said. "We also greatly appreciate the community members who immediately dialed 9-1-1 to report the incident as it was happening. Thank you to the Novato Fire District medics for the care and compassion they showed to the young victim. "

Police said they learned Sultan was a stranger to the child and during the attack she hit him and took his bicycle.

Novato firefighters evaluated the child, who had minor injuries, and his parents took him to the hospital for treatment, police said.

Police arrested Sultan and booked her into the Marin County Jail for robbery and child abuse.