The assault happened at 4:55 p.m. on Monday on Pinewood Road near Cecilia Court.
The man approached the woman from behind, placed her in a chokehold, and threw her to the ground.
When she screamed for help, the suspect took off running.
The 2-year-old child was not hurt.
Police say right before the assault, he was spotted lingering on several residential streets before eventually pouncing on his victim.
A dash camera captured a picture of the man wanted in the attack.
The man is described as having a thin build, approximately 5'8" tall , wearing a gray hood, a dark-colored jacket with light-colored stripes on the sleeves, dark pants, and white athletic-style sneakers.
Anyone with information or security or dash camera footage is asked to call the Howell Township Police Department at 732-938-4111, extension 2677 or submit a tip to rjackson@howellpolice.org.
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