Knocked into coma, 16 yr. old shows improvement
We first told his story last week…and while the critically injured young man is showing some signs of recovery, the case against his assailants is going nowhere. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods has an update.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Thirty-six year old Maria Cawich has remained vigilant in her fight to help save her son’s life. Sixteen-year-old Francisco Cawich was comatose after a cement survey pillar hurled from a passing vehicle struck the teenager in his head. Cawich suffered several fractures to the skull and doctors have already performed two surgeries to help relieve the swelling that developed in the brain. Although Cawich was taken off life support on Monday evening, the teenager is not able to breathe on his own and he remains on a respiratory machine at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Cawich has slowly begun to respond to his mother’s voice. Although his doctors and family remain guarded about his progress, they are encouraged by what he is now able to do.
Margarita Cawich, Aunt
“Well, I see that he has opened his eyes, I talk to him and I tell him aunty Margaret come let him squeeze my hand very hard and he did it, he squeezed it hard. And I tell him open your eyes, your mother is here and he open his eyes and she talk to him and he open his eyes.”
While the injured youth may be making some progress, the case against his assailant is not. Orange Walk police strongly believe someone in the pan of a passing pickup truck deliberately threw the deadly object into the group of friends. So far no one has claimed responsibility or told authorities what they know happened. All police have been able to gather is that the incident happened around six-thirty on January eleventh and that the colour of the vehicle is blue and it had several young men in the back. Today, Cawich’s mother is appealing to anyone who can help the police to please come forward.
Maria Cawich, Francisco’s Mother
“If the police can find the person who did this to him, there is one thing I would like them to ask him: why they did this to my son because he has never gotten into trouble with anyone.”
Both mother and aunt have been staying at the hospital to provide the love and attention to help Cawich fully regain consciousness. They say it is their faith in God that has given them the strength to face their loved one everyday, but they are troubled that someone’s senseless act has caused the family so much pain. Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods.
If you would like to financially help the Cawich family meet their medical expenses you can contact either Maria or Margaret Cawich at the K.H.M.H.. Late reports from police indicate that while the suspect vehicle and its occupants have been identified, none of them has admitted to the crime.
