A 71-year-old woman is recovering from severe injuries after the man she allowed to stay in her Crestline home allegedly beat her with a baseball bat on August 25. Therese Garcia had offered shelter to Erik Eduardo Navarro, 26, of Orange County, after he claimed his belongings had been stolen and that he needed a place to stay before a job interview.
According to her family, Garcia took Navarro in, providing him with meals and coming to believe he was a struggling but decent person. However, after two weeks, the family stated that Navarro began making demands and asserting control over her home. When Garcia asked Navarro to leave on August 25, he allegedly retaliated by attacking her with a metal baseball bat while she was sleeping.
The family reported that the assault continued for hours, with Navarro allegedly resuming the attack whenever Garcia regained consciousness, stopping only when he believed she was dead. He then reportedly fled the scene, taking her phone, credit cards, keys, e-bike, and other possessions.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials stated that Garcia sustained a laceration to her forehead, a cut eyebrow, swollen hands, and significant swelling around her eyes, impairing her vision. Her family added that she experienced days of vomiting blood and may require facial surgery. Hospitalized, Garcia remains in medically stable condition but is experiencing immense pain, dizziness, and the effects of a brain injury. She also lacks health insurance.
Navarro has not been located, and the incident is being investigated as battery with serious bodily injury. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is urging anyone with information to contact the Twin Peaks Station at 909-336-0660. A GoFundMe has been established by the family to assist with Garcia's medical expenses.