Teen beaten at school out of coma

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A teen brutally attacked and put in a coma has had a big breakthrough.

At a press conference Wednesday morning, doctors and lawyers described the emotional signs of improvement shown by Josie Lou Ratley. "She tears up and seems to want to cuddle with her mom," said Rick Freedman, the family's attorney.

Nearly a month after doctors at Broward General Medical Center placed Ratley in a medically-induced coma, the 15-year-old Deerfield Beach Middle School student is awake and aware. "When I was there this morning, she was in a wheelchair, sitting with the nurse assistant and her mom," said Freedman, "so they were there, definitely. I think she was happy to be out of the bed."

Still, she has a long road to recovery ahead, and doctors do not know what the future may hold for her. "Doctors have conducted a series of tests on her," Freedman said, "and the area of her brain that has been most damaged is the area that includes her ability to communicate. Josie cannot speak. Josie cannot walk, and Josie has limited function in her right arm, right hand and right fingers."

Though doctors remain unsure about permanent damage Ratley suffered as a result of the beating a male high school student gave her, they said they are pleasantly surprised at the progress she has so far made. Dr. David Lasko said she is improving faster than expected. "She even responds to commands physically," he said. "She does seem to recognize individuals and sometimes you can tell by her vital signs and sometimes you can tell by the response on her face that certain individuals relax her more or upset her more.

Ratley had been in the coma since March 17, the day she allegedly sent a text message that angered 15-year-old Wayne Treacy, a student at Deerfield High School. He allegedly came over to Ratley's school and punched her and stomped on her, until a teacher had to pull him off her unconscious body.

Now, Ratley has begun opening her eyes and reacting to people around her, even though she cannot speak or swallow. Word of her breakthrough first appeared on Facebook Tuesday evening, when her aunt described Ratley smiling when her mother walked into her room.

Earlier this week, Treacy's family told a national audience on morning television that he is sorry and hopes that the victim recovers. He currently sits in juvenile detention, charged with attempted murder.

Ratley was known as a good student and an accomplished artist before the attack. Doctors caution that Ratley has a long road ahead of her, and no one at this point knows how much of the person she used to be will ever come back. Monday they plan to do surgery to reconstruct her skull.

As for Treacy, prosecutors have until next week to decide whether to charge him as an adult.

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