A Missouri teenager who endured a vicious assault, described by officials as a “deranged display of violence,” perpetrated by another teen, has transitioned out of the intensive care unit. However, she continues to grapple with limited speech and mobility issues, according to an attorney representing her family.
Kaylee Gain has been hospitalized since a harrowing altercation on March 8, near Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis County, which was captured in a widely circulated social media video.
The distressing footage depicts multiple individuals engaged in a violent confrontation on the streets near the intersection of Norgate and Claudine drives, as detailed by the St. Louis County Police Department in a March 11 Facebook post.
In the video, one individual is seen relentlessly striking Gain and forcefully slamming her head onto the ground. Subsequently, a 15-year-old girl was arrested on assault charges one day after the altercation, as confirmed by authorities.
Police reported that Gain was discovered “suffering a severe head injury” and was promptly transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Providing an update, an attorney representing Gain’s family stated on Friday that she had been discharged from the intensive care unit but still experiences challenges. “Kaylee has been able to engage in limited verbal conversations,” the attorney, Bryan Kaemmerer, mentioned. “She has recently commenced speech therapy and has undertaken brief walks with the aid of hospital staff, as she currently struggles to walk unassisted. However, Kaylee has no memory of the altercation leading to her hospitalization.”
Kaemmerer addressed several circulating rumors on social media regarding the incident, refuting claims that Gain’s mother facilitated her presence at the fight location. He clarified that Gain’s mother was at work during the altercation and was escorted to the hospital by a colleague upon being informed by the police.
Missouri Teen Attacked in Viral Video Progresses Out of ICU, Faces Speech and Mobility Challenges, Attorney Reports (Credits: NBC News)
Nevertheless, the attorney confirmed reports of a prior altercation involving Gain and another teenager on March 7, resulting in the suspension of both girls. Kaemmerer noted uncertainty regarding whether the March 8 confrontation was retaliatory in nature.
The parents of Gain are advocating for the 15-year-old assailant to be tried as an adult. Kaemmerer emphasized that “the family believes trying the accused as an adult is the most appropriate means to attain the justice Kaylee deserves.”
However, authorities have yet to announce whether the 15-year-old suspect will indeed be tried as an adult.
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell condemned the altercation as “sickening” and acknowledged the distressing nature of the video footage, describing it as “difficult to watch.”
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey echoed these sentiments, denouncing the actions depicted in the video as a “deranged display of violence that must be punished to the full extent of the law.”
In a subsequent development, police disclosed that eight additional teenagers had been referred to St. Louis County Family Court for potential assault charges, according to NBC affiliate KSDK of St. Louis. The individuals include a 17-year-old girl, a 17-year-old boy, two 16-year-old girls, three 16-year-old boys, and one 14-year-old girl. Presently, none of these teenagers have been apprehended.
