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64 year old Fernanda Garcia is scarred and badly bruised tonight, but she is alive, having bravely fought off the assailant who attacked, stabbed and robbed her in her own home. 

And the prime suspect is her own grandson! Allegedly because he wanted to rob grandma.

It happened yesterday evening around 5:30 in Trinidad Village, Orange Walk District - shortly after he asked her for some money.  She told him that she didn't have any - but didn't take into account that, earlier on, he had seen her give her husband 10 dollars out of a purse that she keeps in her clothing. 

Today, she told Cherisse Halsall about the attack:

Fernanda Garcia was asleep in this hammock when she was viciously attacked by her own grandson. Her bedroom is littered with the evidence of the violent struggle.  She told us that she woke up to find a hand on her neck:

Fernanda Garcia - Stabbing victim
"I was asleep in the string hammock when i felt someone throw themselves on top of me. and they had me by the neck and the face. I was hit several times and one of the hits caused me to fall to the ground, then they started to choke me here and I was hit in the chin but i thought it was with his hand, you know. I said, 'oh you punched me.' I was unconscious for a few minutes and only woke up at the sound of the radio. Now I said I want to call Henry. I think he's sleeping here, his suitcase is here, he should be laying down here. Where is this boy? Then i went to the door pushed it open and figured he had went out through there. I went around the house and came back in through the other door and locked it. Then I went back into my room and called my husband to come and see what had happened. He asked me why I wasn't lying down and told me to lie down. I told him to come and see how I am and he asked what happened to you? I said look at my face, I feel something pouring down. My whole chest hurt and all of my clothes were soaked. And I asked what has happened to me? And I could smell that I smelled of blood."

The Village chairwoman was on the scene immediately after:

Ariani Alfaro - Chairwoman, Trinidad Village
"Well when I came in Miss Fernanda was in her hammock and she was bleeding. I got frightened because we are good friends. I and when they called me I came quickly and I saw miss Fernanda in her hammock and then I started realizing what had happened and then the police came, and then I took her to the hospital. When we got to the hospital they attended her quickly. I was there with her until 3 in the morning."

Her grandson had been staying for two weeks at his grandparents' home in Trinidad. The motive is believed to be robbery- the 64 year old had three hundred dollars in her bosom - and that was stolen. 

Tonight her grandson - who was staying at the house - is on the run. The attack has caused commotion and concern in this normally quiet village.

Ariani Alfaro
"It's the first time something like this has happened. It's a sad thing for something like this to happen in our village because it's family. The villagers are frightened they have questions like: what? What happened? Why? Like I said it's the first we've had something like this has happened and all of us are frightened at this moment."

A frightened village and a terrified family.  Police say the victim has to decide if she will press charges:

Reporter
"Is she pursuing criminal action against the person?"

ACP Joseph Myvette - Head NCIB
"She has not yet given a statement, but we are seeking this person. The police are in the process of interviewing here, to decide whether or not she is going to proceed with court action against this family member."

The Garcia's grandson has not returned to their home. His suitcase as well as the small bag Fernanda Garcia had placed in her bosom containing $300.00 are missing.  

Her injuries are only superficial and she was treated and released.