Romeoville Woman Paralyzed After Being Shot By Father: GoFundMe

ROMEOVILLE, IL — The Romeoville woman who was shot by her father is now paralyzed from the waist down, according to a friend who set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical expenses. Romeoville police said David Francis, 64, shot his 31-year-old daughter once in the torso on Sunday night.

He remains in custody at the Will County jail in lieu of $1 million bond, according to jail records. Romeoville police said David Francis shot his daughter while she was forcing entry into the home they shared on Healy Avenue.

On Thursday, a friend created a fundraiser to help the daughter, identified as Heather Francis. So far, the "Help Heathers recovery" campaign has raised $80 towards a $25,000 goal.

"As most of you may have heard, on Sunday December 3rd 2017, heather suffered a severe gun shot wound to her torso by someone who she thought loved her, her own father," a friend wrote on the site. "She is currently in Good Samaritan Hospital in downers grove. She learned after the shooting and after doctors saved her life that she is permanently paralyzed from the waist down."

The friend, Chrystal Grigic, said Heather will have "massive hospital bills" and will likely move temporarily into a physical therapy facility. When she does move home, "she will need a wheelchair, medical assistance at home and everything that goes with it."

RELATED: Woman Shot By Father Suffered Permanent Injuries: Romeoville Cops

Grigic, who said Heather lost her mother several years ago, continued, "Heather is a beautiful person inside and out and despite any things she's done in the past, she does not deserve this. Her dream was to become a truck driver and was going to begin school to do so before the end of the year but unfortunately that will not happen."

David Francis is charged with felony aggravated battery with a firearm. If he does post bond, court records indicate he will be required to surrender his FOID card within 24 hours of his release and be barred from having contact with daughter Heather.

He is due back in court Dec. 28.

Image via GoFundMe