SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 News) - Charlotte Hansen nearly died ten years ago, but now an artist and a cop who worked on her case are coming together to make sure her story is not forgotten.
It's a mother's worst nightmare.
Sharon Zahne, Charlotte Hansens' mother said, "To know your baby went through that, it was really hard".
Ten years ago Charlotte Hansen was taken from her home, raped, and brutally beaten with a sledge hammer.
Charlotte, then 11 years old, lived through that night. Her remarkable story of survival is the focus of a documentary directed by a police officer who worked on the case.
Officer Jared Richardson, the documentary director said, "This is something the other officers on the case think about everyday". He went on the say, "We all have kids now, or had kids at the time when you're dealing with an 11 year old girl who had something traumatic happen to her it stays with you".
The documentary is yet to be completed, but funding for it got a boost Saturday, November 17 in Midvale.
An artist in New Mexico, who is also Charlotte's uncle donated a painting to help pay for the film.
Charlotte's Aunt said, regarding the painting, "in the back of her you can see the swing representing her childhood and it's a kind of a dark side. But this image is Charlotte's face, what she took off of her school pictures.
When the documentary is complete next year, proceeds will go to pay all of Charlotte's surgeries. She's a strong girl who became an even stronger woman.
"When I feel I can't do it anymore, I look are her and she's just so strong and she did a good job," says Charlotte's mother.
Javier Sickler was convicted of the attack on Charlotte and is now serving time in the state prison.
Charlotte is now 21 years-old.
