The parents of a 16-year-old Missouri girl who was severely beaten and left convulsing on the pavement last week say they “remain hopeful” of a full recovery and thanked the public for the outpouring of support. .
Kaylee Gein remains in critical condition and may have brain damage after her head hit the concrete during a disturbing brawl that was caught on camera Friday near Hazelwood East High School. .
“We are so grateful to the amazing medical staff who worked tirelessly to give her the best chance of a full recovery,” the girl’s parents said in a statement attached to a GoFundMe set up by relatives. ” he said.
“We know she has a very long road ahead of her, but we still have hope. We are so overwhelmed with all the support and love,” they added.
As of Thursday morning, the fundraiser had raised nearly $3,400 of its $10,000 goal.
A second GoFundMe started by a family friend has also raised more than $100,000, increasing its original goal of $40,000.
The update for Gein’s parents came after family friend Sarah Hall explained that the extent of her brain damage would not be known until she woke up.
“The road to recovery will be very difficult for the family,” Hall added.
A violent fight broke out a few blocks from the high school Friday afternoon.
The disturbing footage shows Gein and another unidentified girl fighting, with the girl pushing him to the ground and beginning to punch him.
The girl repeatedly called Gein a “bitch” and then slammed her head against the ground multiple times.
Mr Gein was eventually left twitching on the pavement as a scuffle continued around him.
The other girl, believed to be 15 years old, was later taken into custody.
Gein’s grandmother, Terry Nordstrom Thompson, said in an emotional Facebook post that she “cannot forgive” the attack.
“We are devastated for her. What a senseless act of violence,” Thompson added in a reply to a comment on the post.
Just a few months ago, on December 14th, Gein’s grandmother celebrated his 16th birthday by displaying pictures of them on a merry-go-round from when they were happy.
Gein has a younger brother and sister-in-law, and his worried grandmother responded to the commenter.
Her injuries led some lawmakers to call for the other girl involved in the fight to be charged as an adult and face the maximum fine.
“Offenders should be prosecuted and tried as adults. If the victim dies, the charge should be upgraded to murder,” Attorney General Andrew Bailey wrote in X.
The remaining teens “must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe added.
