Miraculous Survival: Brave Mother of 6-Year-Old Stabbing Victim Emerges Stronger from Hospital
Survivor of horrific anti-Muslim attack near Chicago, released from hospital after enduring multiple stab wounds Tragically, her 6-year-old son lost his life Council on American-Islamic Relationsâ Chicago office confirms her discharge
The Council on American-Islamic Relations Chicago office has announced that a woman from the Chicago area, who was the victim of a vicious anti-Muslim attack that resulted in the death of her 6-year-old son, has been discharged from the hospital. According to the Will County Sheriffs Office, Hanaan Shahin, 32, resided in a rented house in Plainfield Township, Illinois, for two years prior to the landlord's brutal assault on October 14.
According to the sheriff's office, the suspect specifically targeted the family because they were Muslim and because of the current Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis.
Shahin managed to escape by locking herself in the nearby bathroom, but unfortunately, she was unable to rescue her son. She immediately called the police from the bathroom, as stated in a court filing. The sheriff's office reported that Shahin sustained over a dozen stab wounds and was promptly taken to the hospital.
According to authorities, Wadea did not survive after being stabbed 26 times. Shahin, who remained in the hospital, was unable to attend his funeral services on Monday, as reported by CAIR.
It is currently unknown when Shahin was discharged from the hospital, her current location, and her condition. CNN has contacted CAIR Chicago and the sheriff's office for additional information.
Identified by the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the victims are 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume, shown in the image above, along with his mother, Hanaan Shahin. Shahin is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
CAIR/Reuters
A 6-year-old Palestinian-American was stabbed 26 times for being Muslim, police say. His mom couldn't go to his funeral because she was stabbed, too
Joseph M. Czuba, a 71-year-old individual, is facing multiple charges including murder and hate crimes. The Department of Justice is currently conducting an investigation into the attack, treating it as a hate crime. Czuba's preliminary hearing is set to take place on October 30. US Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed concern over the incident, stating that it will inevitably heighten the apprehensions within Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian communities regarding acts of violence driven by hate.
Wadea Al-Fayoume
Family Handout/CAIR-Chicago
Court documents detail the moments before a 6-year-old boy was fatally stabbed and his mother was seriously injured in an alleged anti-Muslim attack
The family was targeted during a period of escalating violence in Israel and Gaza, which saw numerous civilian casualties, including children. The attacks were initiated by Hamas militants on October 7, prompting Israel to retaliate with airstrikes in Gaza. Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Chicago, stated that Shahin hails from a village in the West Bank.
CNNs Holly Yan, Brad Parks, Lauren Mascarenhas and Virginia Langmaid contributed to this report.
