Teen charged in assault against caregiver

Police have charged a teenager in connection with a violent assault on a caregiver at a group home in north Edmonton.

The assault happened just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, when the 16-year-old man -- wearing some kind of disguise -- allegedly broke into the group home at 122 Avenue and 86 Street and assaulted a 51-year-old caregiver inside.

The woman was so severely beaten that she was taken to hospital in critical condition.

Police say no weapon was used, but the woman was kicked several times, and a small amount of money was also taken from the victim's purse.

Cleuza Feliciano, a next-door neighbour, says a young teenage girl from the group home came knocking at her door, crying and saying that someone was trying to assault a worker in the group home.

"She was really worried... she was terrified," Feliciano said.

"She was shaking, crying... she came and told me that somebody wanted to kill."

Another neighbour, Francesca Gagliardi, said she heard a lot of noise coming from the direction of the group home around the time of the assault, but thought it was normal.

"I didn't hear anybody scream, nothing, just noise, that is normal for us," Gagliardi said, explaining that several teenagers live in the group home.

"They play, they make noise... they never do anything bad."

The teen was arrested at the scene, while leaving the group home.

He has been charged with aggravated assault, break and enter, disguised with intent, and two counts of robbery.

Police say they can't confirm if the accused was a resident of the group home because legally they can’t speak to an accused's history.

The victim is still in hospital in serious but stable condition.

With files from Carole Anne Guay