In a recent update, the family of Kaylee Gain, a 16-year-old Missouri teenager, revealed that she has shown significant improvement following a brutal assault at her school that left her with severe head injuries.
However, she still has a portion of her skull missing and will require further surgeries to reattach it.
Following a prolonged hospital stay and two weeks in a rehabilitation facility, Gain has returned home. However, her recovery journey is far from over, according to a statement released by her family's legal representatives.
"Kaylee underwent a craniectomy while in the hospital, a neurosurgical procedure that necessitated the removal of a section of her skull to alleviate brain pressure," stated Bryan Kaemmerer, the family's attorney. He added, "The part of Kaylee's skull that was removed has not yet been replaced."
Gain, who is currently suffering from short-term memory loss, has been using a specially designed helmet to safeguard her brain. Her ongoing recovery includes thrice-weekly physical and speech therapy sessions, and she will need to be readmitted to the hospital for the reattachment of her skull piece.
Kaemmerer noted that Gain continues to grapple with the "trauma, fear, and pain" resulting from the incident.
Later this summer, she will undergo comprehensive neuropsychological testing to assess the long-term effects of her injuries on her cognitive abilities.
The update comes on the eve of a court appearance by the 15-year-old suspect arrested for the violent assault. Following a certification hearing, a judge will determine whether she will be tried as an adult, as reported by Fox 2.
Due to her health condition, Gain will not be present at the hearing. However, her parents, stepmother, and attorney will attend. "The family will respect the ruling, regardless of the outcome," Kaemmerer stated.
The incident, which occurred near their St. Louis, Missouri high school on March 8, left Gain in a coma. A video of the altercation showed another girl repeatedly slamming Gain's skull into the pavement. Gain regained consciousness several days later but had no memory of the fight.
The family of the accused claimed that she had acted in self-defense and that they had received numerous racial threats following the incident.
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