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Sam Penrod ReportingA 13-year-old Utah County girl is fighting for her life tonight after she was attacked with a knife by a teenage boy who tried to rape her. The man suspected of attempted murder is still on the run.
The Santaquin Police didn't want to talk to us on camera about this violent attack, but Chopper Five was there this afternoon as officers tried to capture the suspect, who is still not in custody. So far police have little information to go on.
Law enforcement officers were involved in a large-scale manhunt for a 16-year-old boy today in Genola. Police say around noon today the boy tried to sexually assault a 13-year-old girl in a building there. The teen then became violent and slashed the girl's throat with a knife, seriously wounding her.
The girl was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. Authorities began searching for the suspect, who they believe is just 16 years old. Police dogs searched from the ground and a police helicopter searched from the air, but after three hours the manhunt was called off.
The suspect is said to be from Mexico and has only been in the area for a couple of weeks. There are a lot of migrant workers who live in this area, and so far police say few people even know who the suspect is, which is making it difficult to know where to find him. Police don't even have a name for the suspect, who is considered very dangerous.
The young victim is said to be in serious but stable condition tonight. Investigators aren't sure if she knew the attacker but hope to get more information from her as her condition improves.
