A burglar stabbed a Drexel Hill mother of two in the stomach when she walked out of her bedroom Christmas Eve to investigate a noise, police say. Her common-law husband and two children awakened by her screams.
Thirty-five-year-old Jen Hoban suffered a 3-inch stab wound from a red-haired assailant who was apprehended 10 minutes later, according to Upper Darby Police.
The suspect, 24-year-old Jonathan Daniel Ingram of the 400 block of Lombardy Road in Drexel Hill, has been charged with criminal attempt homicide.
Hoban was brought to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where she spent three days in surgery and recovery. She spoke about the 1:45 a.m. Dec. 24 ordeal in detail to the Delaware County Times.
“When I went to take a step, I saw (Ingram) standing in my daughter’s bedroom doorway,” Hoban told the Delco Times. “He didn’t say a word. He just stared. He started poking at me. I started screaming. It was traumatizing. I could see his red hair. I was really, really scared.”
Hoban’s husband, 37-year-old John Miller ran out of the bedroom and chased the intruder out of the house. One of the couple’s daughters was in the bedroom, the other had been sleeping on the couch. They were not injured.
Police say that Ingram came in through the back door, which was accidentally unlocked.
“I can only describe him as a pure devil,” Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood told the Delco Times. “The call came in for an interrupted burglary and stabbing by a man with long red hair. This scumbag came into the house with two knives and goes to the second floor."
The entire family was left not only traumatized, but dealing with medical bills, as they have no health insurance, Hoban says.
Friends of the family have set up a fund. Donations to help defray medical bills for Jen Hoban can be sent to M&T Bank, P.O. Box 316, Lima, PA 19037.
A Jen Hoban and Family Beef and Beer Fundraiser, with raffles, door prizes and 50/50, will be 6 to 10 p.m. Jan. 27 at Casey’s Restaurant, Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill. Tickets are $30, which includes draft beer and food.
To donate or buy tickets email friendsofjenhoban@yahoo.com
