It's been more than two years since the accused bomber has had any physical contact with the girl, her mother said
ELIZABETH -- The mother of accused bomber Ahmad Khan Rahami's child issued a statement Wednesday night pleading for privacy and saying Rahami has not come to see his 9-year-old daughter in more than two years.
"Ahmad Rahami and I have a child together, but neither my child nor I have had any physical contact with him in more than two years. In addition, he has only reached out to us one time in the last year," said the mother, Maria, whose full name is being withheld by NJ Advance Media.
In a statement issued through her attorney, Kevin Flood, the mother said she was stunned by news that Rahami was accused of planting bombs in Seaside, Elizabeth and New York City, before being arrested in a shootout with Linden police.
"My family and I were deeply shocked and appalled at the recent incidents involving the explosions in New York and New Jersey and our thoughts and prayers are with all who were affected. Particularly those law enforcement officers who were injured in the line of duty," she said.
"I have cooperated with authorities and told them all I know about Ahmad Rahami," she said.
"I respect that the press may have many questions, however, my priority remains with the safety and well being of my child," the woman said.
"Therefore, I will have no further comments at this time and kindly ask that you please respect my privacy and that of my family."
On Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Peter Barnes granted the mother temporary sole custody of the girl, and ordered that Rahami have no contact with the child pending a Sept. 27 hearing in Family Court in Middlesex County, where the mother and daughter live.
However, Barnes denied the mother's request for a court order to change the girl's name.
Rahami, 28, faces federal charges accusing him of planting a pipe-bomb style device that detonated near a military charity run in Seaside Park, and planting pressure-cooker bombs in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood on Saturday. At least 29 people were hurt in the New York City explosion.
Early Monday, one of five similar pipe bombs in a backpack was also accidentally detonated by a bomb squad robot after the explosives were discovered near a pub and the Elizabeth train station not far from Rahami's home.
Rahami was arrested after a shootout with Linden police Monday in which he and two Linden police officers were wounded. Rahami is charged with five counts of attempted murder for the shootout and is being held on $5.2 million bail.
Tom Haydon may be reached at thaydon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Tom_HaydonSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.