NEW YORK — Four-year-old Angel Rivera sure loves video games. He also loves to play rock, paper, scissors and having quality time with his dog Coco.

What You Need To Know

  • Angel Rivera of the Bronx was attacked by a stranger in Times Square this past Thursday while walking with his mom and sister 

  • The 4-year-old fell to the ground and was hit in the face; His mother tackled the man accused of hitting him until police arrived

  • Babacar Mbaye is now facing charges that include assault, endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest

It’s hard to believe this is the same kid who police say was sucker-punched in the face Thursday in Times Square by a stranger, who is now facing charges. 

“Thank God I wasn't there because it would have been a whole different story,” said the boy’s father, Federico Rivera. “I don't know why that lawyer is fighting so hard for him."

Despite the 4-year-old's energy and positivity, his parents are understandably concerned for any possible trauma that may present itself in the coming days, weeks or years.

“The guy was like this,” said Angel, as he moved his arms, “And I fell down and I saw colors. Blue and brown and purple."

Rivera’s mother Rafaela tells NY1 she tackled Babacar Mbaye until police arrived.

While Mbaye is now facing charges that include assault, endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest, he is no stranger to the criminal justice system.

He’s been arrested more than 50 times, including several incidents that have been violent.

“He should either be in a mental institution if he’s not right in the brain or do time for everything he’s done," said Rafaela Rivera.

The boy’s parents got quite emotional when NY1 read them a statement from the alleged attacker’s attorney that blamed a broken system that has allowed Mbaye to be in and out of the criminal justice and hospital systems without getting his client the mental health services that he needs.

“I think he needs to be put away for a long time because what about if he would have had a knife?” said Federico Rivera.

Rafaela Rivera says her son is named Angel because she was still nursing the heartbreak of a miscarriage when he was conceived. She believes real angels were protecting her son in Times Square from more serious harm.

“Yeah, they were watching over him,” she said. “When I see the video, it’s very crazy. Like, he flew. It looked like somebody carried him down so he wouldn’t get hurt."

Mbaye is due back in court on Wednesday.