Sydney Sumner

The victim telling WSOC-TV she is shocked Butler Hardy is free to roam the streets, but grateful she is behind bars once again.

I'm Sydney Sumner.

A North Carolina repeat offender arrested in Florida for allegedly stabbing a pregnant mom with a steak knife in what police are calling a random attack.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced the arrest of Marvena Butler Hardy, accused of stabbing a pregnant woman in the parking lot of the Harris Teeter grocery store in Cotswold on March 18th.

A bystander called 911 after witnessing the attack, with officers responding to a stabbing report.

The pregnant woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.

According to law enforcement, Butler Hardy had no connection to the victim.

Officers allege Butler approached the female victim outside the grocery store at approximately 11.30 a.m.

The 38-year-old mother says she was getting her toddler out of their car seat when Butler Hardy, who pulled out of the space behind her, stopped her car, got out, cursed, and attacked her with a knife.

"'I was facing my toddler, getting him out of his seat, and thankfully turned around, and she was coming at me with a steak knife.

I pushed and kicked and screamed, and thankfully I think that scared her off.'"

The victim suffered a stab wound to her sternum, but she and her unborn child are okay.

Following the seemingly random attack, CMPD released surveillance video of the suspect, later identified as Butler, and a be-on-the-lookout for her vehicle.

On Monday, a Florida State Highway Patrol trooper spotted a silver Hyundai matching CMPD's description traveling south on I-95.

The trooper pulled Butler Hardy over, and she gave him an ID card instead of a license.

When asked why, she reportedly said her license was suspended.

The trooper checked with another, who confirmed Butler Hardy was the suspect in the Cotswold stabbing.

She was promptly arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and battery on an unborn child.

She's now behind bars at the Flagler County Jail awaiting extradition to Mecklenburg County.

Records show Butler Hardy has a lengthy rap sheet of nine prior convictions, six felonies, and three misdemeanors tied to theft-related offenses, along with more recent convictions for firearm possession and misconduct in custody.