Student addictions worker beaten with bat and pool balls, father says
Jackie Healey can't see out of one eye, has lost feeling in parts of her body and has broken teeth after she was attacked while working at the Selkirk Behavioural Health Foundation, her father says.
Healey, 23, was finishing the last shift of her Red River College child and youth worker practicum at the Manitoba rehab centre when she and another female worker were attacked on Sunday night.
The work placement is part of the child and youth care diploma program Healey is taking at Red River College's Interlake campus in Selkirk, Man.
Healey's father, John, said the women were alone with two residents. The two first attacked the supervisor, who took off to get help, and then turned on his daughter, he said.
"They got keys, they got the baseball bat that was locked up, and they had pool balls — you know, they used to play pool. They got the pool balls and put them in socks, and they assaulted both of these girls with these weapons," Healey said.
His daughter was left in a pool of blood.
"The one eye she can see light, the other there is no light," he said. "She has some feeling in parts of her body and not in others. She also had teeth knocked out."
Her sister, Jamie Healey, said Jackie messaged her earlier Sunday night, saying one of the teenage boys at the addictions treatment centre was carrying a baseball bat.
"She was afraid," Jamie Healey said.
A few hours later Jackie and her supervisor were in hospital after being beaten.
The two youth at the facility took off with her sister's new truck, Jamie Healey said. The pair are now missing.
Attackers still missing, truck found in Winnipeg
RCMP confirmed two women at the facility were found injured on site and transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A blue 2014 F-150 pickup truck with the Manitoba Jets licence plate J25 643 was stolen from one of the women and was recovered when it was found abandoned on Monday afternoon in Winnipeg.
"Our officers have been dedicating their efforts to locate the two suspects since the incident," said Sgt. Bert Paquet of the Manitoba RCMP. "We are asking for assistance in locating these two individuals and remind the public not to approach the suspects if observed."
Jamie Healey said she went to the Selkirk facility when she couldn't reach her sister.
She said there were police cars everywhere, and the centre was surrounded with police tape.
"It was taped off. So many cop cars were there," Healey said.
Jackie Healey and her supervisor were taken to Selkirk Hospital, but Healey was transferred to Health Sciences Centre with head injuries.
"Her last shift was last night. She had to be done at midnight and she would have had all her hours done. And nobody knows what caused it. Nobody knows anything," Jamie Healey said.
"She said she really liked the boys, she had a good relationship with them. And they turned on her."
Father questions security measures
John Healey said the facility lacks proper emergency planning for such situations.
"There was no supervisors on at the time and no male supervisor, you know, to take control if anything went wrong," he said.
Jean Doucha, executive director of the Selkirk Behavioural Health Foundation, said their "hearts go out" to the victims and their families. She said the centre is a voluntary placement and the doors are not locked.
The accused teens are the last two boys at the centre, which is slated to close on June 24.
Red River College launching investigation
A spokesperson for Red River College said the attack on Healey was "very unfortunate" and said the school is reviewing the incident.
"As we're learning more about the incident that occurred yesterday, we've now started our own internal investigation — what happened and what the next steps are going to be," said Conor Lloyd, communications officer with Red River College.
"I was very upset to learn that something had happened to one of our students while they were participating in a work placement.
"Safety and security for our students is very important."
Lloyd added school officials have contacted Healey's family.
"We'll provide whatever supports are necessary to assist her and and her return to academic studies, to complete her program," he said.
