Beaten teen's aunt said she feels sorry for the accused

The aunt of a 15-year-old girl brutally beaten in front of her school said she felt sorry for the boy accused in the attack.

"I feel for this child," said Linda Sarminento, of Tampa. "It's not normal what this child did. I feel sorry for him. I know his parents must be devastated."

Josie Lou Ratley's aunt spoke at Broward General Medical Center, where the teen with a talent for art in now in a medically-induced coma, suffering from significant head and facial injuries. An emergency room doctor said a portion of her skull has been removed.

Josie was badly beaten Wednesday after school.

Wayne Treacy, 15, was angered by text messages that referred to the suicide of his brother five months ago. Treacy allegedly rode his bike five miles to Josie's school. The boy banged the middle school student's head on the ground, and kicked and stomped on her head with steel-toe boots. Treacy, a ninth-grader at Deerfield Beach High School, has been charged with attempted murder.

"These are massive injuries," said Dr. Myra Dominquez. "this is her face and head."

Josie is now fight for her life, said family attorney Rick Freedman.

Freedman said families should make the incident a "teaching moment," and discuss with their children the attack.

A 13-year-old girl was arrested Thursday as an accessory to the attack.

A fund has been set up to help pay for Josie's medical expenses. The family is not covered by health insurance.

The fund is in the name of Josie Lou Ratley at Wachovia Bank, 2989 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

People can donate at any Wachovia Bank branch.