SHELBYVILLE, Ind. – An 88-year-old woman fought off an attacker at her Shelbyville home earlier this week.
Mary Lou Haehl said she couldn’t sleep Tuesday night, so she moved out to her usual chair in the front room to watch TV.
But her attacker was already in the house.
“He was hiding behind the chair and he kept punching my head. He had something in his hand. They say it might have been a pencil, looked like the shape of a pencil with metal on it and he made holes in my head,” said Mary Lou.
She said the attack escalated and the man began touching her inappropriately, which is when she started to yell.
“I just leaned over and I said, ‘where’s my gun?’ And when I said that he got up and ran out,” said Mary Lou.
Mary Lou was able to call 911 and her grown children after the man left.
She was taken to the hospital and treated for her injuries.Ten staples and three stitches later, Mary Lou said she’s sore, but recovering from the attack.
Not even 24 hours after his mother was attacked, Brian Haehl said he’s taking every precaution to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.
“We’re going to make this house a fortress. The days of even living in the country with your doors unlocked, it’s just, those days are gone,” said Brian.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s office is still looking for Mary Lou’s attacker. They do not have a good description at this time, but they’re asking anyone in the area to report anything they think is suspicious.
If you have any information on this case, call the Shelby County Sheriff's Department at (317)398-6661.
