In a remarkable display of courage and heroism, a 74-year-old woman was saved from a violent assault on Christmas Day, thanks to her vigilant pet cat.
The incident unfolded in San Antonio, where the woman narrowly escaped harm after her cat intervened to stop the attacker. The assailant, identified as Nathaniel Charles Derouen, 60, was subsequently arrested by the San Antonio police on charges of causing injury to the elderly.
According to the victim’s account provided to the police, she had allowed Derouen to stay at her residence temporarily, as his home had suffered fire damage. The two individuals reportedly had a prior dating history from several years ago, as detailed in a police affidavit.
On Christmas Day, the situation took a dark turn when Derouen, angered after the woman refused to lend him her car, allegedly assaulted her. The victim recounted to the police that Derouen forcefully pushed her onto her bed and proceeded to strangle her. Using one hand to apply pressure to her neck and covering her mouth and nose with the other, he posed a serious threat.
In a surprising twist, the woman’s quick-thinking cat leaped onto Derouen, disrupting the attack and allowing her a chance to escape. The victim informed the police that Derouen had a pronounced fear of cats, a fear that worked to her advantage during the assault.
Following the harrowing incident, the woman managed to flee to the nearest police station, where she promptly reported the crime. Investigating officers, upon reviewing photos of the victim’s injuries, noted signs consistent with strangulation, as outlined in the arrest warrant.
Subsequently, a warrant for Derouen’s arrest was obtained, leading to his apprehension by the police on Wednesday. The arrest warrant highlighted Derouen’s prior convictions for domestic violence, underscoring the severity of the current charges.
Derouen’s bond has been set at $35,000, and a court hearing is scheduled for January 24, where he will face the legal consequences of the alleged assault on the elderly woman. The cat’s timely intervention serves as a testament to the unexpected ways animals can become heroes in the face of danger.
