An elderly Cullman woman remained in stable condition at UAB Monday evening after she was attacked at her home near Cullman High School earlier the same day.
Cullman police said they were still reaching out to family members late Monday, and were not ready to release the victim’s name. The 85 year-old woman has lived alone at the residence, located at the corner of 4th Avenue and 14th Street, for many years. Neighbors called 911 at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday to alert law enforcement the woman was in distress.
“This is somebody people in the area knew, and right now we have several concerned folks — and rightly so — who live on that street. For the foreseeable future, we will be increasing our patrols in the area as we work to investigate what took place at the home,” said assistant Cullman police chief Craig Green Monday evening.
Police are still uncertain of the motive behind the attack, though they have identified one person of interest outside Cullman County whom investigators are attempting to contact. They have not seen evidence that the assault was sexual in nature, nor does it appear that the perpetrator made a forced entry into the house — a factor that Green said, for the time being, prevents police from labeling the incident a home invasion.
Green said investigators would continue going through the home throughout the night Monday in an attempt to discern what, if anything, may have been taken from the residence. The victim sustained facial injuries that, so far, have prevented her from being able to speak to police.
“Because of her injuries; because they are mostly facial injuries, we are not able to communicate with her now, and I am sure that surgery will be in her near future if it is, in fact, not happening already,” he explained. “We still have someone from our office with the family now at UAB, and we will keep them there throughout the night. Hopefully we will be finished Tuesday with the investigation that is going on throughout the house.”
Neighbors had seen and spoken with the woman late Sunday afternoon, and had confirmed to investigators that her appearance at that time was normal.
But at 7:30 a.m. Monday, city fire and police were dispatched to the victim’s home after neighbors placed a 911 call reporting the woman needed assistance.
“At that point, we thought it was probably a medical call. The victim was transported by ambulance to CRMC. But the doctor who examined her believes it was not medical; he believes she was assaulted.,” Green had said shortly after the attack.
“Since this morning,” he later updated, “we have become fairly certain that this was in fact an assault. The mystery has been the motive behind it, and that is a slow process as investigators cover the house room by room; inch by inch.”
Contact the Cullman police department at 256-734-1434 if you have information concerning the incident.
Benjamin Bullard can be reached by e-mail at bbullard@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.
Top News
Related Photos
-
Police tape surrounds the home of an elderly Cullman woman who was attacked there early Monday morning. Trent Moore
Discussion
(UPDATED) Elderly woman assaulted at home near CHS
- Top News
-
-
Tennessee native talks downtown, business growth
After managing a successful chain of grocery stores, Andy Marshall sold it all and decided to focus on just one restaurant/grocery shop — Puckett’s, in the small Tennessee town of Leiper’s Fork — to make it the coolest place he could possibly imagine.
-
Cullman man arrested in relation to 8 previous drug charges
A Cullman man was arrested after failing to appear and comply following eight drug-related charges from 2011-2012.
-
Arrests, incidents reports for Thursday, May 23, 2013
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman City Police Department for Thursday:
-
Extra troopers, less road in Ala. during weekend
Motorists traveling through Alabama during the long Memorial Day weekend will see extra state troopers on the road.
-
Memorial Day event planned for public
With blue skies above and the sun beaming down, Army Iraqi Enduring Freedom veteran Randy McGraw bent over and placed an American flag at the grave of a deceased veteran Thursday.
-
The Times' Morning Update for Friday, May 24, 2013
Good morning, readers, this is what's happening in your county today:
-
3 arrested in Cullman for failure to comply with court orders
Cullman County Sheriff’s deputies arrested three people after not complying with drug court orders following previous drug arrests.
-
Arrests, incidents reports for Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman City Police Department for Wednesday:
-
Chamber seeking full-time tourism director; creates new board
The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce is ramping up its focus on tourism, and is now seeking a full-time tourism director. The agency has also created a new, 11-person tourism board to focus solely on promoting travel and tourism in the area.
Plans to add a full-time tourism director have been in the works for almost a year, in cooperation with the City of Cullman and Cullman County Commission. -
Unsheltered International leads local effort to help storm victims
From their hometown of Cullman, to Joplin, Mo., and even Staten Island, NY., Dr. Travis Sharpe and members of Unsheltered International have provided hot meals, shelter, and delivered supplies to those in need after a natural disaster.
- More Top News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
