By Becky Jane Newbold
Managing Editor
Bond set at $1.51 million for man who brutally attacks 10 year old
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April 23, 2020
Photo courtesy family and TN River Valley News
Tony, a ten year old boy, survived having his throat cut Sunday afternoon following a brutal attack. "Your bravery was shown, strong and true," commented a local pediatric/trauma nurse who crossed paths with the family as they sought emergency medical assistance in a town with no emergency care.
A family held off an attacker at gunpoint Sunday after he admitted to slashing the throat of a young boy who was playing video games.
When deputies arrived at the scene on Howard Switch Road, Sammy Sadler, age 29 of Church Street in Clifton, refused to put down a knife, hurled obscenities at the officers and, instead of giving up his weapon, pulled the "knife out of his front right pocket" and began running toward the deputy, a report of the Lewis County Sheriff's Department said.
Sadler was tased by Lewis County Sheriff's Deputies and taken into custody.
Family members rushed the boy into Hohenwald, seeking medical attention. Unable to find help at the local fire department, they stopped at a local grocery store, Powers Food Town next door.
A pediatric/trauma nurse and her family had just arrived at the store for a gallon of milk, and encountered the family seeking help.
"I feel like God placed our family there for a reason. I only did what any other nurse, healthcare provider or mom would have done," the nurse, who wished to remain anonymous, said in a message Tuesday afternoon.
"I saw the frantic look on the woman's face and when she told me a man has 'slashed my child's throat' I got into the vehicle with them," the nurse explained.
"I could see his esophagus and was able to tell his airway was clear," she continued. When he said his head was hurting, she asked what happened.
"The child told me he was sitting in the floor playing a [video] game and the man came in and said, 'watch this.'" Grabbing him by the hair, the child said he was slung to the floor, she continued.
"We put pressure on the cut and starting praying over him, demanding the bleeding to stop in Jesus' name," the nurse continued.
Upon arrival of Maury Regional Ambulance Service, the child was rushed to Vanderbilt Medical Center where he underwent surgery.
Lewis County Sheriff Dwayne Kilpatrick and Captain Todd Laster reported Monday Sadler faces charges of criminal attempt/criminal homicide, three charges of aggravated assault, aggravated child abuse and resisting arrest.
Lewis County Sheriff's Department
Sadler
A report by Tennessee River Valley News' Burt Staggs indicated the family reported the child would survive. The cut was dangerously close to the carotid artery, a family member told Staggs. There was possible damage to the boy's esophagus.
Facebook was flooded with posts of well wishes for the family and demands for justice.
"Man, he was a trooper and brave," the nurse continued. "He really touched me, I'm gonna tell you. Being able to help was a blessing," she added, explaining that was worth more than any recognition she could receive.
Bond was set at $1.51 million for Sadler who is scheduled for video arraignment Thursday, April 23, 2020, a member of the court said.
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