WATCH: While a young girl who was brutally assaulted on Paul First Nation recovers in hospital, her family offers an update on her condition. Tom Vernon reports.
EDMONTON – Relatives of the six-year-old girl who was brutally assaulted on Paul First Nation Saturday continue to keep watch at her hospital bedside.
Four days after she was found beaten and unconscious in the woods, a family spokesperson says her condition is improving.
“I would say very positive,” a relative tells Global News. “She is responding on her own, she’s sleeping and… I could see the beauty come back to her face — I’ll just say the energy — and it’s good to see that glow again.”
“She’s intelligent…and she’s smart and really energetic and I would say, for her age, she’s very strong too.”
READ MORE: Young girl with traumatic injuries airlifted to Edmonton hospital
The little girl was rushed to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Saturday afternoon in critical condition. She was later upgraded to stable but very serious condition.
Loved ones are encouraged by her progress, says the relative, who cannot be named in order to protect the girl’s identity.
“We always talk about miracles and I would say this is one.”
The man – who is speaking on behalf of the family — says they’ll spend Christmas in the hospital together.
“She loves Christmas,” he says with a smile. “There’s been a lot of family come around and they’ve been very supportive.”
He also says they’ve received emails and phone calls of support from people across the country.
READ MORE: Assembly of First Nations ‘utterly shocked’ by violent assault of 6-year-old girl
“When you bring that many hearts together it shows the power of love everywhere.
“I would say that there’s always calm after the storm and that’s what’s happening.”
James Clifford Paul, 21, was arrested and has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping.
He will be back in court next month.
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