The father of a toddler whose throat was slashed earlier this week is speaking out about his daughter's attack. Juliette Smith, 3, was critically injured Monday evening in Southeast Austin.

Juliette Smith is in stable condition at Dell Children's Medical Center. She will most likely be released on Monday and is expected to make a full recovery, although her father fears her emotional wounds could run much deeper.

“She's my world, she's my life,” said Justin Smith, Juliette’s father. The once active toddler is now recovering from a vicious attack.

“It's hard. It's really hard,” said Justin Smith.

The toddler was attacked three days ago at the University Canyon apartment complex in Southeast Austin. When police arrived, they found Juliette's mother in handcuffs, holding the toddler -- both were covered with blood. Police say the attacker, Malcolm Smith, 24, who is not related to Juliette's family, slashed the toddler's throat.

“She had to sit there and feel every single time he cut her. Every single stroke, she had to sit there and go through and she was awake the whole time. I can't imagine what that was like. I would give anything for that to be me instead of my daughter,” said Justin Smith.

Justin Smith says the knife severed her exterior jugular vein and part of her trachea. He hasn't left her side since the attack.

“I'll be sitting there talking to her and her heart rate will spike, it'll go up 20, 30 points, she'll open her eyes and look around and then she'll see me and try to sit up and try to pick her hand up so I can hold her and I want to pick her up so bad but I can't, you know. It just hurts so bad,” said Justin Smith.

Although she's expected to recover, physically, Justin worries her mental scars will take much longer to heal. He says doctors are giving the toddler medication to induce amnesia in hopes of erasing the traumatic memories, but her family won't soon forget.

“It's always going to haunt me for the rest of my life,” said Justin Smith.

Shortly after the attack, Austin police officer Michael Metcalf shot and killed the suspect. Juliette's father credits Officer Metcalf with saving her life. He says Officer Metcalf even came by to see her a few days ago.

The toddler is expected to be released on Monday.