CINCINNATI -- "After seeing her, it still doesn't seem real."
A 16-year-old girl is in a coma after a man beat her up outside of a nightclub, police said. Now, her family and friends are dealing with the aftermath and still demanding answers.
"She could put a smile on anybody's face," said Nora Lynch, a family friend. "Your heart just sinks to your stomach. There are days when I don't want to eat."
The teen was badly beaten outside Inner Circle Nightclub in Linwood on Feb. 29. She was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where police found her and began their investigation.
Lynch said the teen needed brain surgery but remains in a coma at UC Medical Center.
William Arnold, 34, was charged with felonious assault of a juvenile. Police said Arnold beat the teenager so badly that she may not survive.
"I don't think any child should have to go through this," Lynch said. "Especially a child of her age. No man or woman should put their hands on a child.
"More justice needs to be done."
The mother of the victim spoke to WCPO - 9 On Your Side on the phone; she said the family is "hanging in there," but she did not want to be interviewed.
