Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

STABBING VICTIMS RECOVERING

BY CRAIG CROSBY Staff Writer

PITTSTON -- A father and daughter critically injured during a home invasion last month continue to recover.

William Guerrette, 48, and his 10-year-old daughter Nicole are surrounded by family as they are treated at separate hospitals for knife wounds suffered during the May 27 attack, said Lester Dickey of Gardiner, a relative and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Farmingdale, where the Guerrettes worship.

"They're still progressing," Dickey said on Thursday.

Nicole is at a Portland hospital, where she has regained consciousness and has spoken, Dickey said.

William Guerrette remains at a Lewiston hospital, where he continues to undergo surgeries and may be taken out of a drug-induced coma this weekend.

"They still don't know how much damage there is," Dickey said.

There is hope William Guerrette can be moved to the Portland hospital that is treating Nicole so the family can remain together during their vigil, Dickey said.

Family members from out of state, who have been with the Guerrettes since shortly after the attack, have started to return to their homes. They plan to return to Maine later this summer, Dickey said.

At this point, there is reason to believe William and Nicole will continue to recover, he said.

"It looks that way," he said. "But all it would take would be a setback of any kind."

Calls to William Guerrette's brothers, Glen and Dennis Guerrette, were not returned.

Dickey is Dennis Guerrette's father-in-law and a lifelong family friend.

William and Nicole Guerrette were critically injured during a break-in at their Stoney Acres Road home. The attacks occurred at around 2 a.m. on May 27.

Guerrette's wife, Melanie; a teenage son, Ryan Guerrette, 18; and a daughter, Ashley Guerrette, all were in the house when the attack took place. Melanie, Ryan and Ashley Guerrette were uninjured, police said.

Leo Rose Hylton, 18, of Augusta, was arrested two days after the home invasion and charged with elevated aggravated assault. He is being held on $1 million bail.

Hylton's roommate, Dan Fortune, 20, of Augusta, was arrested a day later and is being held on charges connected with a November robbery at the Guerrette home, during which more than $100,000 in historic currency was taken. Fortune's attorney has said Fortune is expected to face charges connected to the home invasion.

Police have been silent about the ongoing investigation.

District Attorney Evert Fowle declined to comment on the case, nor would he comment on William and Nicole Guerrette's conditions or locations. Fowle would not say if authorities are providing protection for the family.

"I'm sure the sheriff and state police will do whatever is necessary to make sure (the family is) completely safe," Fowle said.

Dickey said he saw members of the Guerrette family in church last week but has not spent a lot of time with the family since the attack.

"We've tried to be available and be supportive and not be a nuisance," he said. "It's a hard balance."

The family has not been back to the house, Dickey said. He would be surprised if they ever return.

"They're coping," he said. "It's certainly a horrible thing for anybody to deal with."

The Pittston community and church have reached out to help the family in the days following the attack. Nicole's classmates held a bottle drive and the Guerrettes' church organized a blood drive. Members of the church, and Mormons from around the state, were asked to fast in the days following the attack.

Nicole and Ashley Guerrette's teammates from the Gardiner Organized Competitive Cheering squad met on the Gardiner Common last weekend to support each other and pray.

"The family knows all this is going on," Dickey said.

Michele Malinowski of Pittston, whose daughter cheers with Ashley Guerrette, said efforts for the family have provided an outlet for friends and neighbors to show their love for the Guerrettes and to lean on each other.

"The community is very concerned about them," Malinowski said.

Craig Crosby -- 623-3811, Ext. 433

ccrosby@centralmaine.com