WARNING: This story contains content some readers may find disturbing. Discretion is strongly advised.
WINNIPEG — One of the victims of a vicious weekend assault says she’s struggling to understand why she was attacked while working at an addictions centre near Selkirk, Man.
Jackie Healey, 23, was one of two female staff members attacked while on the job at the Behavioural Health Foundation.
RCMP say they they were badly beaten and robbed by two clients.
The family told Global News a baseball bat was used in the attack.
“I’m just confused, I thought we had a good relationship. It was just so random. Why? Why did they do it,” Jackie Healey tells Global News from her hospital bed.
Healey is recovering at Health Sciences Centre with swollen and bruised eyes and a severe gash on her forehead.
LISTEN: Jackie Healey speaks to Global News’ Talia Ricci about the violent assault
The family gave Global News permission to use this photo thanking friends for their support.
Victim ‘thankful to be alive’
“My skull is shattered in many different places, my eye bone is fractured and my teeth are cracked…also my vision is gone in my eye but praying I get that back eventually. I am just thankful to be alive,” she said in another facebook post.
Her sister, Jamie, told Global News there is damage to the retina in of one of Jackie’s eyes and it’s not clear if her eyesight will fully recover.
“She has a big heart and still feels bad that the boys did this to her,” Jamie said. “She really got along good with them and they really liked her.”
Healey also says her sister told her that she pulled the fire alarm for help but that it “only rings in that building, not the women’s next door.”
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Healey’s father, John Healey, told Global News that he is now demanding answers from the centre she was working at.
“There was no emergency procedures. There was nothing there. No backup no safety whatsoever. When this happened, there was nothing there to help her,” Healey said.
“They’re lucky to be alive. They were beaten pretty bad.”
Global News reached out to the Behavioural Health Foundation further comment on the attack. On Monday, its executive director said her heart goes out to the families and that it was the most serious incident in its history. The foundation denied a request for an on camera interview on Tuesday.
Healey was not an employee at the rehab centre, but was completing the last shift for her practicum for child and youth care diploma program with Red River College. She was just a few hours away from finishing her last shift when the attack happened. Red River College has launched an internal investigation.
“It was so scary. It was a traumatizing experience to go through. I’m just glad I have my family here with me,” Jackie said.
RCMP have arrested two suspects in connection with the assault. The 16- and 17-year-old suspects cannot be named under provisions in the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
*With a file from the Canadian Press
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