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New York Post
NYC girl, 9, slugged by madman in Grand Central reclaims her smile at NJ theme park
By Georgia Worrell,
13 days ago
She’s got her smile back.
The 9-year-old Bronx girl too terrified to go outside after a deranged homeless man slugged her at Grand Central Terminal reclaimed her grin this week during a free trip to a New Jersey theme park.
Kimberly Tapia reveled in mechanical animal rides, mini golf, mirror mazes and more at “Nickelodeon Universe” — the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere — on Monday, at the invitation of the shopping mall American Dream.
Kimberly Tapia, 9, rode a mechanical unicorn at Nickelodeon Universe at American Mall on Monday. Courtesy of the Tapia Family
Moved by The Post’s report on the youngster , the American Dream team went through City Hall and NYPD officials to connect with Kimberly’s mom, Juana Tapia, and arrange the day, according to the mall’s spokesman, Gregg Schwartz.
“They called me and said ‘Let’s go play games,’ and Kimberly was so excited,” Tapia told The Post.
“They took us to play games, they bought us candies, they bought us teddy bears, they bought us ice cream. . . . They received us very well,” the 36-year-old mom recalled. “She was very happy.”
In addition to the attractions, the Tapias enjoyed a complimentary lunch at MrBeast Burger and a “candy raid” at IT’SUGAR, a three-story confectionery store, Schwartz said.
American Dream even put Kimberly’s name on a giant slime bucket, a Nickelodeon signature.
“It was a special day putting a smile on a child’s face who was in need of some joy. We were happy to brighten up her day and she brightened up ours too,” Schwartz said.
A Nickelodeon slime bucket reads “American Dream Welcomes Kimberly Tapia.” Courtesy of the Tapia Family Kimberly (right) suffered a punch to the head by an unhinged homeless man in Grand Central Terminal on April 13. J.C. Rice
Members of the National Latino Police Officer Advocate Association even escorted the Tapias from their Bronx apartment all the way to the East Rutherford site and back.
“They told her, ‘Don’t be afraid, you are alright, everything will be okay,’” Juana Tapia recalled, adding, “I was surprised that [Kimberly] had fun, because before we went, she was still scared.”
Additional reporting by Tina Moore
For the latest metro stories, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/metro/
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