HELENA, Mont. (WBTW/AP) — A Montana daycare owner who was severely beaten after refusing to hand over three children to their drunken father says she’s proud of how she and her staff handled last week’s confrontation.
Martha McClure says she was holding her own in a physical fight with Francis Joseph Jackson until his girlfriend hit her in the face with a snow shovel. She says Jackson hit her at least once, breaking the orbital bone in her left eye. They fled without the
children.
Jackson was arrested in Washington state and was being transferred to Montana on Thursday. Efforts to find out if he has an attorney were unsuccessful.
A warrant has been issued for the girlfriend’s arrest.
McClure underwent surgery on her eye on Monday and is still suffering from headaches and double vision, but was enjoying hanging out with her daycare kids on Wednesday afternoon.
A GundFundMe page has been set up by a friend of McClure with donations topping $21,000 as of Thursday afternoon. Strangers from across the nation are chipping in to cover McClure’s medical expenses.
“Thank you for your example of how we all should respond! I hope you heal quickly,” writes Nancy Flikkema who donated $50.
Krista Osterwyk-McKnight, creator of the GoFundMe page, posted an update on Martha McClure’s recovery Thursday afternoon.
Top of the Morning to all!!!!
WOW its amazing all the love and support continuing!!! Martha is very overwhelmed with all the donations and can’t thank each and everyone of you enough!
I spoke with her and she said she went and come some hugs and slobber kisses from the daycare yesterday and said its the best healing it to see them!!!
She did an interview with KPAX that I will try and share on here if not I will share in on Facebook!
All the comments have brought a big smile to her face :)
Thank you all again!!!”
