A Florida mother is facing serious charges after her 12-year-old daughter survived a brutal knife attack—by pretending to be dead.
The disturbing incident unfolded Monday in a remote part of the Cecil Webb Wildlife Management Area in Charlotte County. Deputies say Gwendolyn Girard, 43, allegedly slashed her own daughter’s neck, left her bleeding in the woods, and fled the scene in a gold van. Miraculously, the girl lived—and her chilling escape is now shocking the nation.
“She Fought Back… Then Played Dead”
According to the victim’s grandmother, Eunice Kent, the girl’s quick thinking saved her life.
“She said she fought her mom off as long as she could,” Kent told WINK News. “Then she played dead. That’s the only reason she’s still with us. My granddaughter is a brave little girl.”
It was two hikers who stumbled upon the bloodied child, alone and severely injured among the brush. Deputies say she had deep lacerations to her face and neck and was immediately rushed to the hospital. She remains in stable condition.
Sheriff: “I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This”
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell called the case “beyond comprehension.”
“In my 33 years, I’ve seen a lot,” Prummell said. “But this… this is evil. To do this to your own child—it’s unspeakable. It’s a miracle she survived. That child’s courage is nothing short of divine.”
Public Information Officer Chris Hall confirmed the child had multiple knife wounds, including defensive injuries on her hands. “This child tried to stop the attack,” he said. “She fought for her life.”
The Hunt for the Van and the Shocking Confession
An all-points alert was issued for Girard’s gold van. Within hours, with help from Lee County deputies, law enforcement tracked her down in North Fort Myers.
She was arrested without incident—and allegedly confessed during questioning.
Detectives say Girard even told them where to find the weapon used in the attack. That evidence has since been recovered, and the van was impounded.
What Comes Next for Girard—and the Girl She Left Behind
Girard is currently being held on a $750,000 bond and will be extradited to Charlotte County to face charges of aggravated battery and aggravated child abuse. Authorities say more charges may follow as the investigation continues.
No motive has been released publicly, but mental health concerns are expected to factor into the case.
As for the victim, her family says she’s physically healing—but the emotional wounds will take far longer.
“Nothing will ever be the same for her,” her grandmother said. “But she’s alive. And that’s a start.”
Stay with us for updates on this developing case.
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I wonder wh
Mommy should be made to go through what he daughter had to. Loony or not she did wrong. Let a man twice her size cut her up with a knife and leave her for dead and never say where. Her learning can start there then life with out release.