Slender Man stabbing victim's family releases photo of girl

The family of the 12-year-old Waukesha girl who was stabbed last month released this photo of her. Two of the victim’s classmates are accused of stabbing her 19 times May 30. Credit: Photo courtesy of family

By Sarah Maslin of the Journal Sentinel

Waukesha — With sweatpants and a sweatshirt covering her wounds, the 12-year-old Waukesha girl who was stabbed by two classmates is venturing out in public again. She runs errands with her mother and she recently saw a Disney movie with her dad.

A photo released by the victim's family Tuesday showed the girl from the shoulders down wearing a gray hoodie and holding a thank you card.

A second photo showed the victim's bedroom, where a local artist painted a tree with a canopy of paper hearts. The victim's family had asked supporters to send purple hearts — the victim's favorite color and shape — and thousands poured in from around the world. The family said they were overwhelmed by the support.

"We're entering a new phase," said Steve Lyons, the new spokesman for the family. Lyons, who works as a public affairs adviser for the law firm Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., is handling media communications for the victim as court proceedings begin for the two suspects, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser. The suspects also are 12 and were classmates at Horning Middle School.

Weier and Geyser are accused of stabbing the victim 19 times May 30 in an attempt to become "proxies" of the fictional character Slender Man. They are scheduled for hearings in adult court next week.

The family of the victim has asked media not to reveal her name because of her age. Lyons said the family is trying to keep a low profile while the district attorney handles the criminal case against the two suspects.

"They are selective about what activities she does," Lyons said Tuesday. Much of the girl's time is spent in medical appointments with four specialists, who are treating her numerous puncture wounds.

"And that's just the physical care, not the emotional," Lyons said. He said the family is grateful for the nearly $50,000 supporters have donated to help with mounting medical bills.

Despite physical and emotional challenges, the victim has approached her recovery with a "courageous heart," the family said.

They are focused on adjusting to a "new normal" as a family and taking the victim's recovery day by day.

For now, Lyons said:

"She can walk, but she can't walk fast."