Woman beaten in Irving Park home invasion releases message to attacker

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There are strong words from a 78-year-old grandmother viciously beaten in her own Irving Park home to her attacker from the hospital she is recovering after she was critically injured in a home invasion.

ABC7 Eyewitness News is not naming the victim, but her family told us she was moved out of the Intensive Care Unit Tuesday. She still has a long recovery ahead. Her injuries were severe and difficult to look at, but her family stresses she is improving.

The 78-year-old woman said in a video released by her family that she feels very badly because of what happened.

On Friday, a man claiming he was interested in renting an apartment was able to get into her home at Avers and Elston.

"All of a sudden she feels somebody grab her from behind and they started beating her," said Lisette Martinez, her daughter.

But the woman is a fighter. She could be out of the hospital in a couple of days. Tonight, she has a message: she wants her attackers to pay for what they did. She said they should respect the elderly and said no one should harm another person.

Chicago police have not made any arrests. Over the weekend, the family announced a $5,000 reward. They hope someone will come forward with information.