Topsail soccer stabbing victim in 'miracle' recovery, eager to play again

The young boy who was stabbed at a soccer pitch outside St. John's two weeks ago is not only poised to make a full recovery, but intends to play soccer again. 

The 11-year-old, who had to be put in a medically induced coma, was stabbed in the neck on the field in the Topsail area of Conception Bay South, in an incident that attracted national attention.

Nicholas Layman, 19, is undergoing a month-long psychiatric assessment, and has been charged with attempted murder. 

The boy cannot be identified because of a court-ordered publication ban. 

Calvin Randell, president of the Conception Bay South Soccer Association, spoke to CBC News on Thursday with the permission of the boy's mother.

"She calls him her miracle," said Randell, adding that the boy is eager to get well enough to join his soccer teammates again.

"The recovery is coming along very well, both physically and emotionally. They went through a rough time. When your child is going through something like that and it's just a wait-and-see, and to have him home now — as I said before, she calls him her miracle," he said. 

Randell said the boy's parents are grateful for the community support they've received, in particular for the first responders who assisted him on the field.

"The two adults that applied the first aid to him — they basically saved his life — they're heroes," said Randell.

"Emotionally, at this point in time, he's great. But they're under no illusions that he's got a ways to go. But he's in great spirits and can't wait to get back out to kick at a ball." 

No motive has been established in the case, with sources familiar with the police investigation telling CBC that the attack appears to have been random, and that mental-health issues are paramount in the case. 

The Sept. 25 attack happened while about 100 children were taking part in drills.