A local figure skating coach who was once a professional ice skater is facing a long and painful recovery process after being brutally stabbed while driving to work at Hamilton Center Ice Arena.
Friends have set up a fund to assist with medical expenses for Emaly "Emma" Baxter, 34, Columbus, who was pummeled, choked and stabbed multiple times after a car accident on Oct. 23 at the arena parking lot. The fund, at Centra Credit Union, will be used to defray Baxter’s medical expenses incurred at IU Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, where she was taken after the assault.
Baxter was in the intensive care unit for three days before she was released from the hospital Tuesday, her mother and fellow skating instructor Katie Baxter said.
While her physical wounds are beginning to heal, Emma Baxter is still experiencing mental and physical pain, her mother said.
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"Nights are worst for her," Katie Baxter said. "From 8:30 to 11:30, she gets so emotionally agitated. Every night, it’s the same thing."
Although the victim did receive some government health insurance to offset some costs, there are current and future expenses that won’t be covered, Katie Baxter said.
"We’re going to try to find her the best help we can," Katie Baxter said. "We’ve got everything kind of lined up just as soon as she is able to sit and speak."
But it could take years of therapy before her daughter fully recovers physically and emotionally, Katie Baxter said.
Fund details
Financial contributions are being accepted to the "Emma Baxter Account" at all local Centra branches. Donors may either drop off cash or checks payable to Emma Baxter or Katie Baxter that can be deposited in the account.
Individuals may also donate through the digital payment network Zelle under the name Katherine Baxter, skatie@comcast.net, as well as the mobile payment service Venmo at Katherine-Baxter-21. Cards and flowers can be sent to 9302 W. Evergreen Drive, Columbus, IN 47201.
On Thursday, the family issued a statement that expressed their appreciation to the officers and medical professionals involved in her rescue and treatment. Special gratitude was made to Columbus Police Officer Frank Dickman, whose quick arrival at Lincoln Park caused the attacker to flee the scene.
"At this hour we are still in shock, but feeling so very blessed and grateful," the statement read. "In spite of it all, Emma has not lost her courage, strength or her beautiful smile.
The family also wrote they are extremely grateful to everyone in the community who has shown their concern for the victim.
"Each of your cards, well-wishes and prayers have helped warm our hearts and given us added strength during this most difficult time," the statement read. "We all go through life hoping things like this will never happen to us. And when they do, we realize how much we take things for granted. Hug your own family all the tighter this day, because life is precious."
Charges filed
The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges, including an attempted murder charge, against Ryan T. Halligan, 29, of 3526 Cardinal Court, on Wednesday. Halligan admitted to police he was on methamphetamine and heroin in the hours prior to the Oct. 23 stabbing, court documents state.
Halligan is charged with felony attempted murder, aggravated battery, criminal confinement, strangulation and auto theft, according to court documents. He is also facing two Class A misdemeanor charges — operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, and interference with the reporting of a crime, court documents state.
In addition to those charges, the prosecutor’s office has also filed a habitual offender enhancement document in the case, seeking to have Halligan sentenced as a habitual offender if found guilty. The document alleges he has accumulated at least two prior unrelated felony convictions. Indiana law allows those convicted as a habitual offender to receive an additional fixed term between six to 20 years for Level 1 through Level 4 felonies or two to six years additional for those convicted of a Level 5 or Level 6 felony, according to Indiana statutes.
A probable cause affidavit in the case states Baxter was attacked after Halligan, driving a Ford Fusion reported stolen in Indianapolis, crashed into Baxter’s vehicle in the ice arena’s parking lot. Police said Halligan and Baxter did not know each other.
In Friday’s incident, Baxter told police she was driving in the parking lot outside the city ice rink at about 6:30 a.m. when an unknown male crashed his car into her vehicle, according to a probable cause affidavit.
As Baxter attempted to report the accident, the male driver — later determined to be Halligan — got inside her vehicle and told her to get off her cell phone. After Halligan punched and choked Baxter, she attempted to escape through the front passenger door, but he held her down and continued to choke her, the affidavit states.
When Baxter did get out of the vehicle, Halligan fell on top of her and punched her multiple times, court documents state. It was at that time that Halligan told Baxter he was going to kill her and stabbed her in the chest, the affidavit states.
While on the ground, Halligan is accused of kneeling on the woman’s neck, which restricted her airflow and made it difficult for her to breathe, the court document states.
Less than three minutes after Baxter phoned 911, Columbus Police officer Frank Dickman arrived and saw Halligan assaulting Baxter.
When Halligan saw the officer, he attempted to escape by running east over the pedestrian bridge crossing Haw Creek. However, Halligan — who had blood on his clothing and skin — was found quickly, hiding behind several stacked sheets of plywood on the porch of a residence, the affidavit stated.
Another officer found a bloody red and black hooded sweatshirt under the plywood that was wrapped around a fixed blade knife, the affidavit states.
During questioning, Halligan told investigators he had choked and stabbed Baxter in an effort to prevent her from contacting police, the affidavit states. Halligan told investigators he was stabbing Baxter to try to get her to be quiet, as he needed to make sure “he didn’t get in trouble so he stabbed her enough to get the job done,” the affidavit states. The suspect also admitted to investigators he was trying to kill Baxter, the affidavit states.
Additional charges
In addition to the Friday incident, Columbus police reported Halligan is also accused of forcing his way into an apartment of a female relative in a burglary attempt on Oct. 9, according to court records. After the victim attempted to call police, Halligan stopped her, according to court documents. When the relative tried to defend herself, he reportedly attempted to strangle her, court documents stated. She was treated by paramedics at the scene.
For the Oct. 9 incident, Halligan is accused of Level 3 felony burglary, Level 6 felony strangulation and a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery, with his bond set then at $25,000, according to jail records. However, jail records indicate Halligan was released from jail after 48 hours as required by law as no formal charges had been filed against him by the prosecutor’s office within that time period, jail officials said.
As of Thursday afternoon, Halligan was still under guard while being treated at a local hospital, according to jail personnel. Once he is released and incarcerated, his bond at the Bartholomew County Jail will be set at $1.5 million under order of Bartholomew Superior Court Judge James Worton.
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To donate to a fund to help defray medical expenses for Emaly "Emma" Baxter:
- Donations can be deposited into the "Emma Baxter Account" at all local Centra Credit Union branches.
- Contributions may be made through the digital payment network Zelle under the name Katherine Baxter, skatie@comcast.net
- Financial assistance can also be made through the mobile payment service Venmo at Katherine-Baxter-21.
The family has asked that cards and flowers be sent to 9302 W. Evergreen Drive, Columbus, IN 47201.
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