32-year-old man, who snapped just because his girlfriend’s 9-year-old daughter was stomping around the home so he stabbed her multiple times while on the ground, was sentenced
Illinois – In a harrowing case in Illinois, a 32-year-old man, identified as D. Fisher, has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for a brutal and almost incomprehensible attack on his girlfriend’s 9-year-old daughter. The 9-year-old girl was stabbed multiple times—left bleeding and seriously injured—simply because she had been stomping around their home. Fisher, who had been in custody since the incident occurred, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted first-degree murder, admitting to the horrific act that nearly took the young girl’s life. His sentence requires him to serve at least 85% of the term before becoming eligible for release. After serving his prison time, he will be placed under mandatory supervised release for three years and must register as a violent offender against youth.
The attack unfolded on February 15, 2024, inside a residence. According to authorities, the child’s mother became alarmed after receiving a call from her daughter’s school, informing her that the girl had not shown up for class. Concerned, the mother returned home. As she arrived, she saw Fisher walking out the door. When he noticed her, he immediately fled. Inside, she found a nightmare—her daughter was bleeding, suffering from multiple stab wounds, including a severe injury to her neck. Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene, and the girl was rushed to the hospital for critical care. Law enforcement launched a search for Fisher, who had attempted to flee by boarding a bus. He was ultimately apprehended at a nearby train station, bringing his flight to an end.
Following his arrest, Fisher waived his Miranda rights and gave a statement that would shock investigators. According to prosecutors, he admitted that he “snapped” when the girl started stomping around the house. Enraged, he grabbed a kitchen knife and, in a disturbing detail, put on an oven glove so that he wouldn’t injure himself while stabbing the child. He told police he punched the girl to the ground before stabbing her repeatedly. When recounting the attack, he expressed disbelief that she had survived, reportedly asking investigators, “Did you see her neck?” The brutality of the assault—and the lack of any real provocation—deepened the outrage felt by the community and authorities alike. The girl, despite her grave injuries, survived after receiving intensive medical treatment.
The case was handled by the county special victims unit, whose team of prosecutors, victim advocates, and mental health professionals pursued justice relentlessly. “Every child’s life and safety is precious. Our Special Victims Unit… have worked tirelessly to secure justice for this victim,” said State’s Attorney E. Rinehart. “This offender was held accountable and will be out of our community for decades.” Fisher’s detention throughout the proceedings was secured under Illinois’s SAFE-T Act reforms, which prevent defendants accused of violent crimes from posting cash bail.
The victim’s name has not been publicly released, but her survival stands as a testament to her strength—and to the quick response of emergency personnel. The long road to recovery continues, not only for her physical wounds but also for the deep emotional trauma inflicted in what should have been the safety of her own home. With Fisher now sentenced, the family has taken a step toward closure, though the pain caused by this violence will not easily fade.
