Stacy Malone, 37, a Nelson High School graduate and the daughter of former Nelson residents, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Stemper, nearly lost her life last Wednesday when an intruder broke into her home, assaulted her and attempted to strangle her before leaving her unconscious and near death.
As bad as that news was, it is possible to find some good. After being in intensive care, Stacy has now been released from the hospital and the suspected assailant has been arrested and jailed. However, with numerous injuries Stacy faces a long recovery.
The man wanted in connection with the assault has been captured.
Around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nebraska State Patrol troopers responded to an accident involving a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and a semi-truck south of the Alda interchange on Interstate 80. Justin Hadenfeldt, 37, of Kearney was identified as the driver of the pickup truck and a suspect in the Stacy Malone case.
After being treated for injuries from the crash at a Grand Island hospital, Hadenfeldt was to be arrested on a warrant for suspicion of first-degree assault, a Class II felony, strangulation or suffocation resulting in serious bodily injury, a Class IIA felony and burglary, a Class IIA felony, Kearney police said.
Police said a preliminary investigation indicated Hadenfeldt entered the victim’s home while her husband was at work and assaulted her. She was left unconscious with serious injuries. The woman’s two young children were also present in the house at the time.
On the weekend, the woman’s sister noted on A GoFundMe page that Stacy was in the intensive care unit, “with multiple fractures to her face, and significant bruising to her body. She was conscious and able to say a few words but was still unable to open her eyes and the swelling needed to go down significantly.”
The sister said the suspect entered the victim’s home as she was getting ready for the day and assaulted her.
The day after Stacy was assaulted, her oldest daughter, Braelyn was taken to a hospital emergency room where it was determined she had pneumonia and was then admitted.
Braelyn was discharged from the hospital on Monday.
The victim’s father reported on Monday that Stacy was more talkative and her face was turning an ugly yellow, which was a good sign because it indicated healing was in progress.
Because of damage to an artery in her neck, it is thought she will have to be on blood thinner for perhaps months and she is being monitored for a slight chance of a stroke.
Stacy is a licensed practical nurse, certified dementia practitioner and dementia care trainer, On Monday she was worried about an older couple she had been caring for. She wanted to go see them. However, she was not able to walk much and was not allowed to visit the older couple.
The swelling will have to go down before the facial bone fractures can be evaluated.
While living in Nelson, Scott Stemper served as chief deputy sheriff and mayor. Chris Stemper was a nurse associated with Brodstone hospital. Now living in Lincoln, Scott lists his occupation as emergency operations planning specialist with the Nebraska Department of Education
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