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The teenage girl who narrowly escaped with her life in a shocking vehicle and machete attack has been released from hospital in time for Christmas.
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Kaylie Smith, 16, was attacked in Cobalt on Nov. 3 around 6 p.m. just after getting off a bus from work.
The teen was first slammed into rocks by a vehicle allegedly driven by her ex-boyfriend, who then got out and used the machete to chop off her left hand and leave her arm hanging by a thread.
Kaylie hovered between life and death for days in an Ottawa hospital.
Now, there’s some good news for the teen and her family.
An update on a GoFundMe campaign posted Sunday reads: “Fantastic news!!! Kaylie has been released from hospital to spend Christmas with her family. Please respect her privacy moving forward if she would like to reach out she will xoxox thank you all for your incredible support.”
Phillip Gagnon, 18, of Haileybury, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, weapons possession, and breaching his conditional sentence. He was allegedly furious that Kaylie had dumped him.
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Gagnon appears to be a troubled young man.
According to local media reports, he had been sentenced to house arrest just five days before Kaylie was attacked.
He had been found guilty on Oct. 29 of first breaking into a home last May 11 and then assaulting a male inside. CTV News reported a mischief charge for breaking his victim’s glasses was dropped.
On Oct. 29, in Haileybury court, Gagnon was hit with two 60-day conditional sentences, 18 months of probation, a two-year weapons prohibition, and ordered to submit his DNA.
He was sprung from the “onerous” conditions of his house arrest sentence and allowed to leave home every Sunday, between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., to “acquire the necessities of life.” Medical emergencies, work, school, court, church, appointments and treatment or counselling sessions also got the green light.
The judge also ordered Gagnon to undergo counselling for anger management and a runaway booze problem.
Five days later, he allegedly attacked Kaylie.
Gagnon remains in a North Bay jail. Last Tuesday, he appeared via video.
His case has been put over again for another hearing on Jan. 7, 2025.
bhunter@postmedia.com
@HunterTOSun
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