A disturbing confrontation in Chicago’s River North neighborhood was captured on surveillance video, showing a woman allegedly approaching a young girl selling flowers, grabbing her, pushing her to the ground, and falling on top of her.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of child street vendors and the challenges faced by families who rely on selling goods in public areas.
Video Captures Late-Night Attack Outside River North Bar
According to reports, the incident happened a few weeks ago shortly before 3 a.m. outside Moe’s Cantina as the River North bar was closing for the night.
Surveillance footage from the area reportedly shows a young girl selling flowers when another woman approaches her. The video then captures the woman grabbing the child, forcing her to the ground, and landing on top of her during the confrontation.
The reason for the attack remains unclear, and authorities have not released additional information about the woman seen in the video.
Bar Owner Raises Concerns About Child Selling Flowers Overnight
Moe’s Cantina owner Sam Sanchez said the young girl has returned to the area since the incident.
Sanchez said he has attempted to help the child and locate her family but has not been successful.
“I don’t know their need, but I know they don’t belong in the streets three, four o’clock in the morning,” Sanchez said.
He explained that he has spoken with the girl multiple times and tried to determine where her parents are so a police report could be made.
“Her parents are not around,” Sanchez said.
Street Vendors Group Says Harassment Is Common
The incident has also drawn attention from the Street Vendors Association of Chicago, with member Maria Orozco saying the video was disturbing and highlights problems vendors regularly experience.
Orozco said street vendors of different ages often face harassment, racial profiling, verbal abuse, and robberies while working in public spaces.
She said that while the organization does not support children being outside late at night selling flowers or other items, families should not automatically be judged because some may be dealing with difficult financial circumstances.
“It was something very outrageous. You don’t expect to see things like this happen, but unfortunately, they do seem to happen more than we expect,” Orozco said.
Advocates Want Resources for Families
Orozco said the organization hopes to locate the child and her family to provide support and connect them with available resources.
She said the group plans to conduct outreach efforts around downtown Chicago to educate families about safer options for children, including daycare and other programs where children can stay protected while parents work.
The goal, she said, is not only to address the attack but also to help prevent children from being placed in unsafe situations.
Owner Released Video to Highlight Bigger Issue
Sanchez said he decided to release the surveillance footage because he wanted to bring attention to the broader issue surrounding child street vendors.
He said the conversation should focus not only on the alleged attack but also on why children are being placed in dangerous situations late at night.
“If the parents want to be out selling at three o’clock in the morning…not the children,” Sanchez said.
Search Continues for Girl and Family
The Street Vendors Association of Chicago said it has not yet been able to locate the young girl involved in the incident.
Members are hoping to reconnect with the child and her family so they can provide assistance, resources, and help create a safer situation for the child.
The incident remains under review, and further details about possible charges or an investigation have not been released.
