Woman who gave birth after attack returns to Ohio

JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRE REPORT

WINSTON-SALEM

May 2, 1996

Jill Marker flew home to Akron, Ohio, yesterday with her infant son to recover from brain injuries she suffered in an attack in December.

A specially equipped plane operated by the Carolinas Medical Center Air Ambulance Service of Charlotte left the Smith Reynolds Airport at 9:45 a.m. and arrived in Akron an hour later, officials said.

Marker has been in a near-coma state since she was injured. She gave birth to Barron Marker on April 19 at Forsyth Memorial Hospital.

Barron was in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron yesterday afternoon, said Carol Wallace, a hospital spokeswoman. Officials declined to say where his mother was taken. Her husband, Aaron Marker, and her doctors said last week that they would transfer her to a rehabilitation hospital in Akron, near her family.

Since the attack Dec. 9, she was treated at Forsyth Memorial Hospital under tight security because hospital officials feared her attacker might return and try to kill her. The attack shattered the left side of her skull and left her in what doctors call a persistent vegetative state.

Barron was born six weeks prematurely. He is in stable condition, but doctors say that he might have suffered brain damage from a lack of oxygen or blood as a result of the attack on his mother.

Marker's medical bills are covered by workman's compensation, but the family needs help caring for Barron. A fund has been set up for the family at Wachovia Bank. The fund's trustee said that clothes and baby equipment are no longer needed. Money will be used to pay for moving, medical expenses and living expenses.

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