A South Florida mother is sharing her story of survival after police say her boyfriend stabbed her 34 times. Now, she hopes speaking out will help other victims recognize the warning signs of domestic violence before it’s too late.
Heidy Morales spent two weeks recovering in the hospital after the attack, but says the emotional healing is far from over.
Morales also created a GoFundMe fundraiser with the hope that it will help her pay the medical bills and her recovery.
Blurred Ring camera video captures the moments after Morales says she was attacked. The video shows her covered in blood, running through her neighborhood and screaming for help.
“At that moment, all I wanted was to survive. I just wanted to get out of the car,” Morales said.
Morales says the attack happened on Father’s Day after she rented an Airbnb for her boyfriend, Lesinier Garcia. She says they were driving home when a text message triggered him.
She also recalls thinking it was unusual that Garcia chose to sit in the back seat while she drove. Looking back, Morales believes he had planned the attack.
Garcia was arrested on a charge of attempted felony murder with a weapon or aggravated battery. He remains in jail awaiting trial.
Morales says the Father’s Day attack was not the first time Garcia had been violent toward her.
“He was jealous. He put GPS trackers on my phone. He would come looking for me at my work. When we separated, he grabbed me by the neck. He almost killed me,” she said.
Morales now bears 34 stab wounds across her body, showing scars on her neck, hands and back.
Despite spending two weeks in the hospital, she says thoughts of her children gave her the strength to survive.
“I believe God saved me—God and my will to live. I kept thinking about my children. I knew I had to survive,” Morales said.
Now, Morales is urging others in abusive relationships to recognize warning signs before the violence escalates.
“If the person you’re with has unresolved trauma, don’t allow yourself to be abused. Always pay attention to the red flags,” she said.
Morales says she wants Garcia punished to the fullest extent of the law and hopes sharing her story encourages other victims to seek help before it’s too late.