By Paige Orr, Fox23 News
MCALESTER, Okla. — A McAlester mother is clinging to life at a Tulsa hospital following a brutal attack by an unidentified animal that investigators said is unlike anything they’ve seen in over 30 years.
Alicia Maxey was found severely injured on Sunday morning in a remote yard in Blanco.
While the family initially believed a dog was responsible, the sheer scale of the injuries has prompted the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office to bring in wildlife experts to solve the mystery of what kind of animal attacked Alicia.
She was found roughly an hour later by the homeowner, an EMT who immediately began lifesaving measures until a medical helicopter could arrive.
“[In] 38 years, I’ve never been involved or seen anything to this extent as far as injuries caused by a wild animal,” said Pittsburg County Sherriff Frankie McClendon.
The sheriff’s office is now working with Oklahoma Wildlife Services to identify the animal.
Evidence, including clothing ripped from the victim, has been sent to a lab for DNA testing to determine if the attacker was a dog, a bear or a mountain lion.
From her hospital bed at Ascension St. John, Alicia has been able to provide small details about the moments leading up to the attack.
Her sister-in-law, Kat Kelley, said Alicia remembers pulling up to the gate before hearing a “deep growl.”
“Something just pounced on her and knocked her to the ground,” said Kelley. “She says it was dog-like is what she described, but she didn’t say it was certainly a dog.”
Alicia has already undergone four surgeries to treat extensive wounds to her face, legs and arms.
During a brief moment between procedures, Alicia spoke about the physical toll of her recovery.
“I’m in too much pain to say anything right now,” she stated.
The attack has triggered a secondary crisis for the Maxey family.
Alicia’s husband, Wallace, is currently on the transplant list for a kidney and requires dialysis three times a week.
With Alicia—the family’s sole breadwinner—hospitalized and their only vehicle impounded following the incident, Wallace has no reliable way to get to his critical treatments located two hours away.
“When I first walked in and I saw her, I just broke down and started crying,” said Wallace. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
Despite the long road ahead, Wallace remains focused on his wife’s character.
“Alicia is a loving, caring person. It doesn’t matter who you are, she will sit there and help you the best that she can.”
The community is now rallying to help the Maxey family cover mounting costs for food, housing and the fees required to retrieve their impounded vehicle.
A GoFundMe has been established to support Alicia’s recovery and ensure Wallace can reach his medical appointments.
To access the family’s GoFundMe, click here.
