A woman attacked in her Lithonia home and stabbed four times in the face says she can no longer stand the sight of a knife.
Carla Catalon-Scott spoke by phone with Channel 2 Action News after her accused attacker was indicted Thursday on nine charges related to breaking into a home and assaulting the woman inside.
“I’m having difficulty sleeping, and I am in therapy for that,” Catalon-Scott told the television station. “My scars are healing slowly, but it’s very painful emotionally and physically.”
The man who allegedly attacked her on April 11, Romelle Nathaniel James, broke in through a basement window and demanded money from Catalon-Scott, police said.
The 18-year-old got upset when the purse Catalon-Scott gave him had only $10 inside, and he threatened to stab her, according to a news release.
Catalon-Scott said she thought she was dying after the stranger stabbed her in the face, fracturing both her cheek bones and bruising her.
After she moved for her gun on a nearby night stand, James allegedly grabbed Catalon-Scott’s gun, shot at her and left with the weapon.
Days later, James was arrested after turning himself in to DeKalb County police after seeing surveillance footage of himself on television news.
Video from a neighbor’s home security system showed someone prowling around the home before the attack.
DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James, of no relation to the alleged attacker, said surveillance video played a key role in the teenager’s arrest and in his indictment.
“We moved quickly to indict this case because it was so extremely violent, and we wanted to make sure he was off the streets,” James said. “She was enjoying the sanctity of her own home, and he came and shattered that sense of comfort and security.”
James was indicted on charges of armed robbery, home invasion, first-degree burglary, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, aggravated battery and three counts of aggravated assault.
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