Dear Editor

My son was the 16-year-old from North Battleford who was bear sprayed and beaten. He had life-threatening injuries. He was beaten nearly to death by three boys.

When I walked into the emergency room and saw my son's bloody and swollen face with an open gash on his lip that needed five stitches, knowing the breathing machine was keeping him alive, I almost fell to the floor in shock. It caused me so much pain to think about how these three could plan, stalk and enjoy the act of trying to kill an innocent person.

When I sat next to my son's bed in the ICU at the Royal University Hospital, I prayed with my every breath that he would live and make a full recovery. I am so happy and thankful to say all the prayers and ceremonies have helped us and we made it through this.

It angers me to know that I know the 16-year-old accused. I've known his family all my life, and it hurt me deeply to be shown the comments he posted on Facebook the night my son was on life-support in the ICU. He wrote "hope he doesn't die so I don't go down for murder."

I was also shown the pictures on his Facebook of him and friends proudly showing off their many cans of bear spray.

These boys did not injure my son anywhere on his body, just his face and head. He couldn't open his eyes for three days. I believe they would have killed him if it wasn't for my little cousin who was able to run and call 911. He is my hero and I know he got help as fast as he could. I also know he could have been killed if he wasn't able to run from the others.

Knowing the family of the 16-year-old accused, I believe he chose my son as their victim out of jealousy, because we live a good life and my son is well taken care of. He is loved by all in my family. I keep my son close, I know where he is and who he is with every minute of the day. He has chosen not to do drugs, drink or even smoke cigarettes.

I give a huge thank you to the entire staff at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. I feel in my heart that he was treated with respect and dignity. I'm so thankful that he was in such a wonderful, respectful and clean hospital.

Becky Swindler

North Battleford