A 53-year-old woman is in custody after a 3-year-old boy was sprayed with some kind of acidic substance at a Toronto movie theatre last week, police say

The assault occurred Saturday, as the boy stood in line with his father at the Humber Cinemas Theatre located on Bloor Street West and Jane Street.

The pair were purchasing tickets, when an unknown woman approached the boy and sprayed an unknown "acidic substance" on his face and neck. Officers initially said the acid was wiped or spilled on the child, but later clarified that it was sprayed.

"She didn't say anything, and as soon as she'd done that, she fled the scene," Toronto Police Det. Sgt. Shawn Elliott told CTV Toronto's Tamara Cherry on Wednesday.

The woman then left the theatre, walking east on Bloor.

Alverna Maria Lawrence, 53, was taken into police custody on Wednesday evening and is facing multiple charges, including assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, and administering a noxious substance.

Lawrence was first wanted as a person of interest in the investigation after she was seen in the area at the time of the attack. Police announced that she is now a suspect.

Investigators said the boy is doing well and his injuries are healing.

Police believe the attack was targeted and deliberate, despite some employees at the movie theatre saying it was an accident.

Fortunately, the child's burns were minor because the father was able to administer first aid at the time of the assault.

They said the substance has not been identified, but it burned holes in the boy's clothing and in the carpet where the boy stood. Officers told CTV Toronto they'd sent the substance for forensic testing and discovered that it was some kind of acidic substance, but there was no confirmation on the specific chemical used.

Police said they were following up on several leads that came after releasing photos of the suspect on Tuesday. They said local businesses had helped in the investigation.

Anyone with information to call them at 416-808-1100, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS).

With a report from CTV Toronto's Tamara Cherry