A pregnant mother-of-two is recovering in hospital after a horrifying early morning assault with a metal baseball bat, which she links to a personal relationship dispute.
A Brutal Assault Outside Work
Gheonna Lacy, 39, was leaving her job as a caretaker at a group home in Racine, Wisconsin, just before 7am on Thursday when she was ambushed. An unidentified man and woman approached her and launched a violent attack. "They just immediately knocked me to the ground, swinging the bat, stomping me with their feet," Lacy recounted to local news. The expectant mother, who is due to give birth to her third child in May, said she desperately tried to shield her stomach during the onslaught.
Shocking surveillance footage captured the two hooded suspects approaching the property, with one clearly seen carrying the metal bat. While the camera did not film the attack itself, Lacy's cries for help were audible before the assailants fled the scene.
Targeted Over a Personal Dispute
Speaking from her hospital bed, where she is being treated for injuries to her face and stomach, the distraught woman said she recognised the female attacker. Lacy described the woman as someone who had been stalking her following a relationship dispute. However, she did not know the male suspect seen wielding the weapon.
The attacker's motives were made chillingly clear. "She was stating to kill the baby, to get the baby," Lacy revealed. The traumatic event has left deep psychological scars. "It replays in my head every time I close my eyes," she said.
Community Support and Ongoing Investigation
The violent incident has left Lacy afraid to return to her workplace. Her best friend, Jenna Hunter, expressed shock, stating she never imagined such an attack could happen, especially during pregnancy. Fortunately, medical checks indicate that Lacy's unborn baby is unharmed, but she faces a long recovery.
The Racine Police Department's violent crimes unit is actively investigating the assault. As of now, no arrests have been made. In the meantime, the local community has mobilised support. An online fundraiser organised by Lacy's employer has been set up to help the family with medical bills and living costs while she is unable to work. The GoFundMe page notes that Lacy has "two young children who depend on her" and that she will be unable to provide for them financially during her recuperation. By Monday, the campaign had raised nearly $3,000.
