12-Year-Old Girl Feigns Death to Survive Mother's Stabbing Attack in Nature Reserve, Police Say

A 12-year-old girl in Punta Gorda, Florida, demonstrated remarkable presence of mind during a harrowing incident involving her mother, Gwendolyn Girard, 35. The attack occurred on May 26 at the Cecil Webb Wildlife Management Area, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.

Authorities received a call reporting a girl with severe lacerations on her face, neck, and hands. Upon arrival, deputies found her in critical condition—weak, bleeding, and struggling to communicate. She was immediately transported to a hospital and is currently stable.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, the girl identified her mother as the assailant. "All the wounds appear to be knife-inflicted," stated Chris Hall from the sheriff's office during a press briefing. He detailed that the victim bore stab wounds and defensive injuries on her hands, indicating she fought back against the attack.

The victim's grandmother praised her bravery, recounting that the girl played dead after attempting to fend off her mother. "She said she fought her mother off as long as she could, and then she played dead," the grandmother shared.

Hall described the aftermath of the attack as disturbing, noting that the girl was left bloodied and concealed under brush. It is believed that Girard attempted to hide her daughter’s body after assuming she was dead before fleeing the scene in a gold van.

Following the girl's report, law enforcement quickly initiated a search for Girard's vehicle, locating it in North Fort Myers within hours. Girard was arrested and reportedly confessed to the stabbing, revealing the location of the weapon used in the attack. A dive team was deployed to search a nearby canal linked to the incident.

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell expressed his disbelief at the nature of the crime. "In my 33-year career, there are only a handful of times that I have been left speechless. This is one of those times," he remarked. He commended those who discovered the girl for their role in saving her life, attributing their presence to fate.

"It is only by God's grace that she is still with us today," Hall added, acknowledging the long-term psychological impact this event may have on the young victim. "Unfortunately, the mental trauma inflicted on her may never heal."

Girard faces serious charges including aggravated battery and aggravated child abuse and is currently held at the Charlotte County Jail with a bond set at $750,000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or visit www.childhelp.org. In cases of immediate danger, call 911.