While she rests in hospital and recovers from a brutal attack, Rinelle Harper's family finds comfort knowing police have arrested two suspects for the assault.
"Knowing that these two predators are off the street, I feel relief,” said Rinelle’s uncle, Bruce Harper.
Badly beaten and left for dead in the freezing Assiniboine River, the 16-year-old girl was found by a passer-by Saturday morning near the Donald Street bridge. Harper was taken to hospital in critical condition.
"Her body had been beaten and there are bruises all over her face,” said Bruce. “It looked like they intended to kill her."
Family members said Rinelle continues to get visits from family.
The girl’s great aunt, Louise Spence, said she is awake, alert and able to talk.
Spence said Rinelle has made progress every day since the attack.
"A few days after that she looked way better,” said Spence.
“It was a miracle she survived.”
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief David Harper, a relative of the girl, said he now has concerns for the safety of Rinelle and her family in the wake of the arrests.
"There are security measures that we want to provide for them making sure that no threatening calls are being given to them,” he said.
David Harper said he's thankful police were able to make the arrests just four days after the attack.
"After we heard that, the family's a little bit at ease. But at the same time, the focus again will be directed right at Rinelle."
Bruce Harper said he doesn't know the two suspects arrested. He's not sure if Rinelle does either.
As the family tries to come to grips with what happened, Bruce Harper knows other victims' families are still hoping for answers and waiting for justice.
"Certainly the community is a lot safer with these two off the streets. The sad part is there are more out there right now,” he said.
Rinelle Harper is from Garden Hill First Nation but was attending classes at Southeast Collegiate in Winnipeg.
The school released a statement which said staff and students are trying to come to terms with the horrific assault.
They said in-house counsellors are offering support.
School officials hope for a speedy recovery and hope Rinelle can return to school soon.
An account has been set up in Rinelle Harper’s name with CIBC to collect money to pay for travel costs for family members coming into Winnipeg from First Nations to visit her in hospital.
