77-year-old woman says she can't afford repairs after suspect smashes 8 of her home windows

Sammye Hughes said she was inside her home on Aug. 5 when objects suddenly came crashing through her windows.

The attack happened around 10:45 a.m., and a neighbor’s security camera captured the incident.

Hughes said she was in her bedroom when she saw something fly across her living room.

“It scared me to death,” Hughes told ABC13.

Car Battery and Wrench Among Objects Thrown

According to investigators, the 20-year-old suspect threw multiple objects through the windows, including a car battery and a wrench.

The damage left eight windows shattered throughout Hughes’ home.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with felony criminal mischief. He has since been released from jail on bond.

According to Hughes’ family, the suspect is the child of a woman dating Hughes’ son.

Nearly a Month Living Behind Tarps

For Hughes, the arrest has not solved the immediate problem of how to repair her home.

Nearly a month after the incident, she was still living with tarps covering the broken windows because she said she could not afford to replace them herself.

The damage has left her vulnerable to the elements and forced her to live with a constant reminder of what happened.

Family members have been looking for ways to help the longtime Houston resident cover the repair costs.

Community Rallies Around Hughes

The case has also drawn attention from people in the community who want to help Hughes restore her home.

With eight windows needing replacement, the repairs could be a significant financial burden for someone living on a fixed income.

Hughes said she never expected something like this to happen at her home in the middle of the day.

Now, while the criminal case moves through the court system, her biggest concern is getting her home back to normal and feeling safe there again.

The suspect remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Source: ABC13 Houston