The maniac accused of randomly slapping a 6-year-old boy just outside Bryant Park on Sunday was charged with felony assault – as cops revealed he has 17 prior arrests dating back a decade.
David Silva, of the Bronx, allegedly whacked the unsuspecting youngster across the face without warning around 4:50 p.m. as the boy and his dad walked along West 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, steps from the buzzing holiday market, authorities and sources said.
The 42-year-old Silva – a complete stranger to the child – was arrested a short time later and also faces raps for acting in a manner injurious to a child, menacing and harassment, cops said.
His last arrest was in June 2024 for allegedly hurling eggs at a stranger in Queens, police said.
He allegedly approached the victim, Jazmin Jara, outside her job at the time – the Santander Bank at Roosevelt Avenue and 81st Street in Jackson Heights – around 5:20 p.m. and asked her for money.
Jara, now 40, told The Post Monday that she was on her phone during the encounter and about to buy some food, so she paid Silva no attention.
For a little while, he badgered other people milling around before returning to Jara with a more “aggressive” attitude, she said.
When she refused to give Silva any money, he grabbed an egg from a food truck and chucked it at her, she said.
“Thank God it was only eggs,” she said. “But he was like, trying to hurt me with something. So the only thing that he found at that moment was eggs.”
Silva was subsequently arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault, menacing and harassment, according to a criminal complaint.
But he was ultimately found unfit to stand trial and the Queens case was dismissed in August 2024, according to the DA’s Office.
“Oh my God, but he’s dangerous,” Jara said when she learned of Silva’s release and his latest assault rap.
“He cannot be released like that. Now with a kid, and tomorrow, who’s [it] gonna be? Oh my God!”
Most of Silva’s rap sheet has been for misdemeanor assaults, authorities said.
His record stretches back to 2015, when he was arrested for disorderly conduct, police said.
His arraignment in the attack on the 6-year-old, who was not seriously injured, was pending Monday afternoon.
Jara said she hopes Silva remains behind bars this time.
“Imagine if, for example, if [he stays] on the street next time, if he got a knife or something, he’s gonna kill someone,” she said. “It’s very dangerous.
“Obviously, 17 [prior arrests], and no matter what … .if [he hit] a kid, he doesn’t respect anything, he’s very dangerous.”
