Woman Stabbed In Monster Mask Attack Thanks Police

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, IL — Two years after she was stabbed in a brutal attack at the group home where she worked, caretaker Delia Hernandez met with members of the Will County Sheriff's Office to thank them for their live-saving efforts in the June 1, 2019 incident.

Police said the knife blade Hernandez was stabbed with barely missed her heart. Since the attack, she underwent several surgeries and is still recovering, officials said.

During her visit with Sheriff Mike Kelley and other members of the sheriff's department, Hernandez shared an emotional "thank you" and gave those who attended Life Saver candies as a symbolic gesture, officials said.

"Having visits like this is not only therapeutic for the victims, but is also satisfying to the brave men and women that have sworn an oath to serve and protect the citizens of Will County," Kelley said in a statement.

On a Saturday evening at the Plainfield Township group home two years ago, Hernandez was stabbed more than 30 times by a resident who was wearing a "demonic"-looking mask.

Police said resident Elderaldo Franz had been inappropriately texting women when Hernandez caught him, according to police. After a verbal argument ensued at the home, located on the 23500 block of Fern Street, and Hernandez took Franz's phone and left the room. Frantz later came back wearing the monster mask, carrying a large kitchen knife while the "Halloween" theme played from his iPod.

Hernandez was stabbed so violently the knife's blade broke off and got lodged into her chest. Police said she was able to escape to a neighbor's house, where they tried to stop the bleeding and called 911.

Frantz was found after the attack sitting on the group home's front lawn covered in blood and still wearing the mask.

Then-24-year-old Frantz was taken into custody on two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated domestic battery and attempted murder. Police said Frantz has a developmental disability and a history of mental illness. Court records show during a mental fitness hearing Nov. 6, 2019, he was found unfit to stand trial and unlikely to be restored to fitness.

He was remanded to the Illinois Department of Human Services for inpatient care, according to Will County court records.