'Slender Man' Stabbing Survivor Receives Purple Heart From Anonymous Vet:
The "Slender Man" stabbing survivor received a Purple Heart in the mail recently after an anonymous veteran decided to give her the precious gift. The 12-year-old Wisconsin girl said previously that she loves hearts and the color purple, so donors who are inspired with her tale of survival have been sending cut-out purple hearts as well.
The "Slender Man" victim was stabbed 19 times at the end of May by two of her friends during a sleepover. Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier allegedly lured the unidentified girl into the woods of Waukeshia, Wisconsin to kill her, but she survived, inspiring one veteran to send the girl a Purple Heart.
"The Only Heart I Could Find – Stay Strong," the simple note attached to the medal read. Normally the Purple Heart is only issued to wounded veterans or the families of men and women that lost their lives in a conflict.
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"[Her parents] explained to her the significance of a Purple Heart in the military and what it means, what a personal sacrifice it is to be wounded on behalf of the country, and how incredible it is to be sent this," the girl's spokesperson, Stephen Lyons, told ABC news. "The gift really resonates with the family because they are still dealing with wounds, emotionally and physically, from the events of May 31."
"Our family continues to be so moved by the prayers, well wishes, packages, financial support and purple hearts from around the world," the family added in their own statement. "It does not surprise me that a decorated veteran unselfishly gave this amazingly brave and courageous little girl something from his or her heart."
The girl managed to survive her stabbing in May by crawling to the road, where she was found by a biker. Geyser and Anissa Weier, who told police they had been trying to summon fictional online character Slender Man, have been charged with first-degree attempted murder. Both girls are being held at a juvenile detention center on $500,000 bond.
