ST. LOUIS — The family of Kaylee Gain released an update on her recovery a day before the scheduled certification hearing for the 15-year-old classmate accused of severely beating Gain on March 8.
"With God's grace, Kaylee's condition has improved considerably in the past month," said the Gain family's attorney, Bryan Kaemmerer, adding that Gain is now living at home after a month of hospitalization and two weeks at an in-patient rehabilitation facility.
Hazelwood East High School student Maurnice DeClue is accused of beating Gain during an off-campus fight after school, causing her to suffer brain damage.
DeClue’s attorney, Greg Smith, asked that the mandatory certification hearing for his client be scheduled as soon as possible, and all parties agreed on May 10. Juvenile officers previously recommended DeClue be charged with first-degree assault, which automatically triggered Friday’s certification hearing.
"We’re very happy about the news that Kaylee is doing better," Smith said Thursday. "My client and her family continue to pray for her recovery."
Kaemmerer said that Gain will not be at the hearing, stating her family believes "it is not in the best interest of Kaylee's physical or mental health for her to attend."
Gain's father, mother, and stepmother will attend along with Kaemmerer.
According to the family's attorney, Gain is currently wearing a custom helmet and will require another surgery to replace the part of her skull that was temporarily removed to relieve pressure on her brain. Gain is spending nearly three days a week in physical therapy and speech therapy and has testing scheduled later this summer to gauge the long-term impact of her injuries on her cognitive function.
"Kaylee continues to meet with a counselor to assist with her mental well-being as she copes with the trauma, fear and pain that have arisen from this incident," Kaemmerer said.
Kaemmerer statement also expressed the family's gratitude for the medical personnel, law enforcement officers, and the public that has donated to their GoFundMe page set up to help with Gain's medical expenses.