Parents hope for miracle after beating leaves teen in coma
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/07/2009 (6244 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE — The parents of a 16-year-old girl who has been in a coma for 12 days after she was badly beaten are hoping and praying their child wakes up soon.
Doctors had to perform emergency brain surgery to save Vanessa Popiel’s life after she was beaten and left in a junk yard in Portage.
Byron and Tracey Popiel cannot comprehend why and how someone could do this to their daughter.
It happened June 28 as Popiel was walking home alone after being with friends.
“I told her before she left that if you need me, please phone me, and I’ll come pick you up because I don’t want you to walk, but I guess she didn’t want to bother Daddy …”
“I got a knock at the door about 6 or 6:30 a.m., and the RCMP were standing at the door.”
Despite her injuries, Vanessa crawled across train tracks and a road to some homes where neighbours heard her screams for help.
RCMP say a 17-year-old male is charged with attempted murder and several other charges.
His first court appearance is set for July 29.
The accused is known to the Popiels.
Adding to Popiels’ anguish is that they can only visit their daughter in hospital in Winnipeg, 100 kilometres away, since they are under financial constraints and have an unreliable vehicle.
Vanessa has already undergone surgery for her skull and brain injuries and needs more surgery to reconstruct part of her damaged jaw and other facial features.
Despite the best efforts of the medical team, the Popiels said doctors are unsure what kind of recovery Vanessa will make.
However, the Popiels are thankful to doctors, medical staff, police and the community for all their support so far.
— The Canadian Press