PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — A 35-year-old woman is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stabbing a 12-year-old girl in the face and neck and attempting to conceal her under brush at a wildlife management area, authorities said.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Cecil Webb Wildlife Management Area on the afternoon of Monday, May 26, after bystanders found the injured child. Deputies arrived to find the victim weak and in need of immediate medical care. Before being transported, the girl identified her attacker as Gwendolyn Girard and said she had been left under brush after the assault.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene in a gold-colored van. Through coordination with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle was located in North Fort Myers and Girard was taken into custody at the same location.
Charlotte County Major Crimes detectives obtained a warrant for Girard’s arrest on charges of aggravated battery and aggravated child abuse. Authorities say she later confessed during an interview, providing the location of the knife used in the attack.
Girard held on high bond following confession
“In my 33-year career, there are only a handful of times that I have been left speechless. This is one of those times,” Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said in a statement. “It is only by God’s grace that she is still with us today.”
Girard is being held at the Lee County Jail on a $750,000 bond pending extradition to Charlotte County. Officials have not released details about the relationship between Girard and the victim or a possible motive.
The victim was treated for multiple stab wounds and is in stable condition, according to the sheriff’s office.
A Florida woman is in custody after allegedly stabbing a 12-year-old and trying to hide her under brush in a remote area.
