Teens Attack Husband and Wife in Front of Kids During Carnival in Northeast Philadelphia: Police

An investigation is underway after a couple was allegedly attacked by a group of teenagers at a carnival in Northeast Philadelphia.

A woman who did not want to be identified told NBC10 she was at the annual Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church Carnival Friday night with her two sons, ages 4 and 5. She was waiting for her husband to pick them up when a group of about 20-to-30 teenagers approached her and attacked her, according to police.

The woman said a teen girl punched her and knocked her over and other teens continued to hit her.

"I was kicked and hit by both teenage boys and girls and my phone was stolen all while my kids watched and screamed asking them to stop hurting their mom," the woman said.

At least one of the teens hit the woman’s husband in the back of the head when he arrived, police said.

"I was scared," the woman said. "I was looking at my kids crying. I was trying to fight my way out but I couldn't because they were all screaming, 'Kick her in the face.'"

Her husband suffered a gash to his head and other injuries.

"I have two black eyes," he said. "A small cut underneath my eye. Numerous lumps and abrasions all over my head."

The woman said she has attended the carnival for years and even went to school at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She believes the annual carnival needs more security. 

No arrests have been made in the attack and police continue to investigate. They have not yet released a description of the suspects.

An organizer for the carnival released a statement saying they were unaware of the incident the woman described, but did confirm that there was a fight around 9:20 p.m. Friday involving several girls. 

"When the fight was broken up, the girls went in different directions on the church grounds," Michael Skelly said.

The organizer said another incident then occurred a short time later in which a group of four to five children ran through the ride area of the carnival looking to fight with someone. Skelly said that the second incident did not lead to a fight.

He is unaware of any other fights that security guards and police officers had to break up other than the initial fight between the group of girls.

"At the time of the first large movement of people, additional officers were called," he wrote. "When the crowd made the second transition across the midway, the carnival was closed and the police officers very effectively cleared the grounds by 9:50."

Skelly said the number of police officers and security personnel would be increased for Saturday night. They also closed earlier than the scheduled time of 9:30 p.m.

The Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church carnival is a week-long event that takes place every May. The event raises money for the Parish.

In 2012 two teens were stabbed during an attempted robbery at the carnival, according to police.