Girl Who Survived East New York Apartment Stabbing Speaks Publicly For First Time
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Showing off her dance moves and speaking publicly for the first time, Mikayla Capers told CBS 2's Janelle Burrell what she's looking forward to most this upcoming school year.
"Seeing my friends and family," she said. "But before I do that, I have to have my doctor's appointment to have my cuts checked to see if they're healed up."
Mikayla survived an attack that nearly killed her. On June 1, 2014, Capers and her friend, 6-year-old PJ Avitto, were both stabbed multiple times in the elevator of their Brooklyn apartment building in East New York.
Mikayla was in critical condition. PJ did not survive.
"It's just amazing, you know...because you never know what can happen you know?" Mikayla's mother Sherina Capers said.
"The first couple of weeks was [sic] hell," Mikayla's grandmother said.
Daniel St. Hubert has been charged with murder for the stabbings and appeared in court via live video on Friday.
A judge declared the previously-diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic fit to stand trial.
He has been officially charged with murder, attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, making graffiti, and possession of a graffiti instrument.
Sources told CBS 2 St. Hubert had a kitchen knife with him when he was arrested.
"He had basically kind of a blank expression on his face, you know, he was just — and he hands behind him. He was just walking slowly as they walked him to the car," said witness Michael Dowery.
Sources told CBS 2 police tracked St. Hubert's cellphone and zeroed in on his location, walking down a residential street in Ozone Park, Queens.
For Mikayla's family, St. Hubert being deemed fit to stand trial a step closer to justice, CBS 2 reported.
As Burrell reported, Mikayla and her family choose to focus on her fighting spirit.
"Mikayla is in therapy. She has come a long way," Mikayla's great-grandmother Regina Trevathan said.
She may be pint-sized, but Mikayla's resilience and appreciation for what she has overcome are immeasurable, CBS 2 reported.
"Thank you all for coming and I would like to say thanks for your support and for your kindness," she said.
Mikayla has been staying with her great-grandmother since the incident. They're hoping to move her to a new apartment soon where she'll be able to continue to progress and heal, Burrell reported.
Mikayla's family said they are starting from scratch and are asking the community for donations. Donations can be made to:
Brigette Capers
C/O Mikayla Capers
PO Box 296
Lawrence, NY 11559-0296
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