HARTFORD, Conn. _ Hartford Police said Friday that Officer Jill Kidik, who was severely injured in a stabbing attack last week, has been released from Hartford Hospital.
Kidik, a 12-year department veteran, was wounded during a call to a landlord-tenant dispute at an apartment building on Constitution Plaza on May 17.
Although police said it will take a considerable period for Kidik's wounds to heal, she is expected to make a full recovery.
Kidik and her family have said they do not want to talk about what happened or comment in general.
Her Hartford police colleagues were on hand at the hospital as Kidik was discharged. A contingent of officers in city patrol cars, lights flashing and sirens blaring, then escorted Kidik from Hartford Hospital to her home early Friday afternoon.
The woman accused in the violent attack, Chevoughn Augustin, is being held in lieu of $2 million bail. The charges against her include attempted murder, first-degree assault, assault on a police officer and third-degree criminal mischief. She is due back in court June 5 in Hartford.
Kidik suffered multiple stab wounds to her neck in the attack and lost a lot of blood. Many Hartford police officers were shaken at the severity of her wounds and Kidik's condition. The day after the attack, news emerged that Kidik was sitting up in her hospital bed and communicating, giving a lift to her fellow officers. More than a hundred Hartford officers were in front of the Hartford courthouse for Augustin's arraignment. Several officers, including Chief David Rosado, were in the courtroom to watch the arraignment.
A host of people are credited with helping to save Kidik's life, including two maintenance workers at the Constitution Plaza building who pulled the attacker off her and her fellow officers who immediately went to her aid. Officer Alexander Ortolaza is credited with grasping Kidik's neck with his hands to stop the bleeding, giving the trauma team and surgeons at Hartford Hospital the opportunity to save the officer's life.
