Posted on 08/31/2002 4:00:18 PM PDT by PleaseNoMore
Just after 2 a.m. Saturday morning, medics were called to a home outside of Aberdeen. On arrival, they found three teens with their necks slashed open, all struggling for life
SNIP
The Moore County sheriff said Justin Martin, 22, attacked the teens. After a day-long search, the suspect was arrested at his home in the Foxfire community. Sheriff Frank Johnson said Martin was a friend and co-worker with the victim's father. He was staying at the Holdsworth home Friday night. "
http://rdu.news14.com/content/top_stories/?ArID=13203
Suspect in custody on attempted murder charges
Updated: 9/1/02 10:56 AM
By: Ken Derksen & Web Staff
Moore County teens were attacked while they slept.
Justin Martin is facing three counts of attempted murder and is being held under a $1 million bond.
Just after 2 a.m. Saturday morning, medics were called to a home outside of Aberdeen. On arrival, they found three teens with their necks slashed open, all struggling for life. ( my comment: Connie kept her brother and sister alive by applying towels to their wounds till help arrived).
Ding and Noy Sengkhamphong are shocked anyone would harm children from the Sherwood Park subdivision. Constance Holdsworth, 15, and her sister Cathy, 14, were two of the teens brutally attacked. Their 12 year old brother Jimmy, who was also injured, often visited the Sengkhamphong's home. "He played with my kids and he rode the same bus," Ding said.
The Moore County sheriff said Justin Martin, 22, attacked the teens. After a day-long search, the suspect was arrested at his home in the Foxfire community. Sheriff Frank Johnson said Martin was a friend and co-worker with the victim's father. He was staying at the Holdsworth home Friday night.
EMS supervisors told News 14 Carolina, no amount of training could prepare its medics for the gruesome scene they were called to. Many of the medics were so shaken by the extent of the children's injuries that the Moore County EMS Department gave a briefing to help their personnel deal with their stress.
The young victims were all taken to First Health in Pinehurst. They were in guarded condition Saturday night.
Martin is facing three counts of attempted murder and is being held under a $1 million bond. Deputies said they aren't sure what prompted the attacks on the sleeping children.
Martin's first court date will be September 19.
In a statement released Sunday, the family said," We appreciate the outpouring of care, concern and support from friends, neighbors and the general public. Our children, Jimmy, 12, Cathy, 15 and Connie, 16 are stable and resting well. At this time, we will be most grateful if our need for privacy can be respected. We cannot accept requests for interviews or respond to telephone calls. Thank you."
Right now, it is 2 AM and I am just sitting here thinking about this whole situation.
When I think I can't cry for these kids anymore I just weep and sob. When I think I can't pray I just plead to God for them. I know that their are others who have experienced tragedy and brutality in their lives but you never contemplate it until it happens to someone you know and care about. I don't care who you are, the reality does not set in until then. Personally, I pray that no one ever has to experience this feeling.
I have been thru it once before when my cousin was brutally murdered. Her murderer is on death row here in NC. Now this with these precious children.
As a mom, I have done all I can to keep my children safe. I am as cautious as they come. Some say I am over protective. I know where they are, who they are with, what they are doing and I don't let them come and go as they please. I lock my doors, I screen all of their friends and the friends of their friends. I have taught them to fight back and I have taught them to avoid dangerous situations whenever possible. But this....This has simply shaken me to the core of my being. I know that my son visits the home that this occured in. I know that his friends like to hang out there. I know members of the extended family of these girls.But I didn't know that the idiot who did this would ever be a factor. Quite simply, I didn't know he even existed. So it the questions that is begging to be answered in my mind is, "What else can you do when you have done all you can to insure your child's safety?" I am a firm believer in praying for my kids. Everyday I pray for God to encamp His angels about this and for His keeping power to be upon them.
Please, do everything that you possibly can to keep your babies safe. Even when you think you have been as diligent as possible be more diligent. It seems as if these atrocities are being perpetrated by people that know the families or who have had some contact with them. The danger is literally from "unexpected sources".
Sorry for the rambling but I think that this thing is really just hitting me. The protective shock is wearing off. And it is frightening. Very frightening.
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