Josie Lou Ratley Out of Hospital, Long Recovery Still Ahead for Bus-Stop Beating Victim
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CBS/AP) After 41 days, three surgeries, and weeks in a medically induced coma, Josie Lou Ratley defied the odds and was released from the hospital Tuesday.
PICTURES: Josie Lou Ratley, Steel-Toed Attack Victim
Family attorney and spokesman Rick Freedman said Tuesday that Josie Lou was in the process of being moved to a rehabilitation facility, about six weeks after the vicious March 17 steel-toed beating at Deerfield Beach Middle School.
Josie Lou's feeding tube was removed after a third surgery.
She still cannot walk, talk or use her right arm and fingers.
Fifteen-year-old Wayne Treacy is accused of punching and stomping Ratley at a campus bus stop. Treacy is facing an attempted murder charge and has pleaded not guilty. His girlfriend, Kayla Manson, 15, has been charged with one count of accessory to attempted murder and pleaded not guilty April 16.
Freedman issued a statement Tuesday on behalf of the family thanking the doctors, nurses and entire staff at Broward General Medical Center who "performed miracles with their JoJo," but also said Josie Lou has a long road ahead and he fears it will be years before the final outcome of her injuries is known.
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PICTURES: Josie Lou
Ratley, Steel-Toed Attack Victim
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ON CRIMESIDER
April 8, 2010 - Josie Lou Ratley, Michael Brewer Attacks Spur Broward County Anti-Bullying Campaign
April 6, 2010
- Josie Lou Ratley, Student Attacked at Bus Stop, Gets Trust for Long-Term
Care
April 5, 2010
- Josie Lou Ratley Update: Steel-Toe Stomping Victim Shows Signs of
Improvement
March 26,
2010 - Michael Brewer Visits Josie Lou Ratley in Hospital, Gives Family Hope for
Teen's Recovery
March 24,
2010 - Why Didn't Anyone Warn Police Josie Lou Ratley Was Going to Be Severely
Beaten?
March 23,
2010 - Hero Teacher Walter Welsh: "Sorry I Didn't Get There Faster"...but He
Rescued Josie Lou Ratley from Steel-Toed Beating
March 22,
2010 - Student Victim of Savage Steel-Toed Stomping In Coma, But Her Doctors are
Optimistic
March 19,
2010 - Text Messages Led To Brutal Beating of Teenage Girl, Say Cops