5-Year-Old Girl Honored For Bravery During 'Horrific Attack'

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — A 5-year-old girl is being hailed as a hero after she successfully stopped her uncle from continuing to stab her mother.

Tyler Wayne Holloway, 32, of Acworth, entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill and was sentenced on Thursday afternoon for brutally attacking Carissa Mills, his sister, Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace said. The assault happened the day after Holloway was released from a mental institution where he had been involuntarily committed.

The family had been concerned about Holloway’s bizarre behavior in recent weeks and worried about their safety. On Feb. 9, Mills confronted Holloway about striking his father the night before and told him to stay away from her and her daughter.

Holloway then brandished a butcher knife from the kitchen and Mills grabbed her 5-year-old daughter and rushed outside to call 911. Before Mills could get away, Holloway attacked her on the back porch, stabbing her multiple times with the knife as her daughter watched. The young child attempted to stop the attack by jumping on her uncle’s back. Soon after she jumped on him, Holloway stopped stabbing Mills and fled the scene on foot. Mills was able to re-enter the home and lock the door before collapsing on the living room floor.

Mills’ injuries included 11 stab wounds to her head, neck, abdomen, shoulder, and back. Holloway also fractured the victim’s scapula during the attack.

“This little girl was incredibly brave during the horrific attack on her mother. She not only attempted to stop him from attacking her mother, she also participated in the 911 call and helped her mother after the attack. We are proud of her actions and hope that Mr. Holloway’s sentencing brings a measure of peace to the entire family who has suffered so much due to his violent actions,” said Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ashe, who prosecuted the case on behalf of the State.

Judge Jennifer Davis sentenced the defendant to 30 years, with the first 15 years to serve in the State Penal System.

Holloway pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated battery, one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, one count of cruelty to children in the third degree, and one count of family violence-battery.

Holloway will be required to submit to a full psychological evaluation and follow up with all recommended treatment once released from prison. Upon completion of 15 years in custody, the remainder of the sentence will be served on probation with specific conditions imposed, including no contact of any kind with the victim and her daughter and no use of drugs or alcohol.

“Nothing can erase this innocent child’s painful memories of witnessing the brutal attack on her mother, and nothing can take away the physical and mental anguish Carissa Mills endured,” Wallace said. “But hopefully this sentence will bring closure for Ms. Mills and her daughter, who have both suffered so much, while also protecting the citizens of Cherokee County from any future violent acts at the hands of this dangerous man.”

After the hearing, the 5-year-old girl was honored and recognized for her courage and bravery.

Sheriff Frank Reynolds awarded her the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Medal for Bravery, which is bestowed upon individuals who perform extraordinary acts of bravery. This was the first time this medal was awarded to a civilian, a testament to the child’s quick actions that day.