Javoni Fortner, a hardworking mother of five from Houston, Texas, is facing serious and potentially permanent injuries after she was attacked following a night out with friends. On September 29, after attending a paint-and-sip event, Javoni took a rideshare home. Later that evening, around 9:30 p.m., her mother, Shameka, received a distressing phone call from her daughter.

“I could hear the fear in her voice,” Shameka said. “She kept saying, ‘Mom, someone tried to beat me with a bat.’” According to initial police reports, investigators believe Javoni may have been struck with a blunt object, and the suspect is thought to have left the scene in a black sedan.

Javoni’s injuries are severe, and her family is hopeful that anyone with information will come forward. Although there were no direct witnesses, they believe the attacker may have been someone she knew. Shameka thinks Javoni tried to defend herself during the incident.

“I still have the purse she was holding,” she said. “If it hadn’t been there, I might have lost my daughter. It’s heartbreaking to think she may live with long-term disability.” Despite the trauma, she remains grateful that Javoni survived and is focused on seeking justice.

“This needs to be a priority,” Shameka added. “We don’t know if this has happened before.” The family is urging the community to assist investigators with any relevant information.

To help manage growing medical expenses, the Fortner family has launched a GoFundMe page. They also expressed deep gratitude to the person who found Javoni and called 911 — a call that may have saved her life.