An Edmonton teenager is beginning to speak again but remains in hospital after being found badly beaten in Beaumont last month.
A close family friend confirmed Wednesday that Braydon Heather, 14, is no longer in the paediatric intensive care unit, and can now speak in short sentences.
He remains dependent on a feeding tube, but is trying to eat soft foods, Melanie Aube said.
“Braydon is getting a tiny bit better everyday,” Aube said in a statement. “I… personally want to thank the entire community of amazing people, both friends and strangers, for supporting Braydon and his family through this crisis.”
Aube said the boy faces a “long road of rehab” and that his mother, Amberleah, is focusing on his needs.
15-year-old charged in relation to the attack
Heather was found severely injured in Beaumont at about 1:35 a.m. on June 21. He had a serious head injury, and lacerations on his hands, arms and face, including a cut to his mouth that was compared to “The Joker” that required hundreds of stitches to close.
RCMP allege a machete was used during the attack.
Heather regained consciousness after the attack earlier this month.
A 15-year-old boy is in custody and faces three charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public. Police say the two boys knew each other. The accused can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Aube said Heather’s mother has now started an online petition to have changes made to Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act.