Beaten teen attends fundraiser

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- A beaten teen made a special appearance to thank community members who helped her on her road to recovery.

Josie Lou Ratley, 15, attended a bike race fundraiser in her honor, Sunday morning. Ratley was greeted by cheers as she walked next to her mother, Hilda Gotay, at "Let's Break the Cycle: A Ride for Josie."

The event was organized by community members who want to end teen violence. Residents and businesses donated bicycles and other items in order to raise money for Ratley's continued recovery. "Even though she looks beautiful, unfortunately, there's a lot of recovery that has to be done mentally. She would have to start over, with the counting, with ABCs," Gotay said as she cried.

"The city of Deerfield Beach has been in the national media since last year, when the Michael Brewer incident happened, then again with Josie Lou Ratley," said Joe Hillner, the event organizer. "There's been a lot of finger pointing in our community, and we wanted to put a positive light on the community by saying and showing that there's a lot of concerned citizens here."

Ratley was unable to speak at the event because of the trauma she sustained at the hands of 15-year-old Wayne Treacy, who, police said, nearly beat the teen to death. "She wants to thank you, too, but of course, she doesn't say it very well. I'm going to thank you on her behalf and give you love and kisses from her for all of your support," Gotay said.

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