Florida Man Arrested for Attacking Woman in Head with Hatchet
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KEY POINTS
- Authorities have arrested the 40-year old man who is accused of hacking into a woman’s head.
- 56-year-old victim was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries
- According to the woman’s family, they were about to remove her from a respirator on Saturday
Florida man aged 40 was arrested for allegedly ramming a hatchet into a woman’s head days before Thanksgiving. He has been charged with attempted killing.
According to a release from the PCSO, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), deputies responded to a 911 call regarding an attempted homicide at the Silver Lake Mobile Home Park near St. Petersburg, Florida. This happened just after 10:30 AM Tuesday.
They found the 56 year-old woman with a hatchet sticking out her head.
Amazingly, the woman survived and was immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment of her life-threatening injuries.
Michael Dougherty was the suspect and fled before police arrived.
Authorities were able track him down near Gainesville (about 150 miles north of St. Petersburg). A deputy from Alachua County pulled him over at 2:50 am on Thanksgiving Day. He then took him into custody
Dougherty was charged one count with second-degree attempted killing.
Dougherty is currently in Alachua County Jail, but will be transferred to Pinellas County Jail at an earlier date, according to the sheriff’s Office.
WFLA quoted the sheriff’s Office as saying Eaton was stable in the hospital.
Donna Voye, her younger sister, said that she was preparing to remove her from a respirator on Saturday.
Voye stated that her family and friends were about to say goodbye to her sister. She described her as someone who would help anyone.
She stated that Eaton allowed Dougherty to remain with her and their husband after he was fired.
Voye stated to WFLA that she doesn’t get it. “We don’t understand it because she wouldn’t hurt anybody.”
She said, “No family should ever be called like we did telling them that their loved one is being brutally attacked.”
The family of Eaton is left devastated and continues to wonder why such an event would happen.
Voye stated, “As good a person she’s done a whole lifetime for her life at 56-years old, be taken away from by someone that is so mean.” “Why? Why? It makes no sense.”
Eaton’s family is trying to raise funds for her funeral.
The incident is being investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
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