Aurora Pit Bull Attack Victim Surprises Classmates After Hospital Release

AURORA, IL — Kate Werner was still riding a high a half hour after one of her students came to surprise her fifth grade class. Not even a week ago, 10-year-old Luke Drees-Segundo was mauled by two pit bulls on the way to school, resulting in multiple surgeries, missed classes and overwhelming medical bills for his mother, Denise. Luke couldn’t wait another day to see his friends and teacher, so he and his mother visited his classroom at Dieterich Elementary School Thursday.

“His smile lit up the room. He’s doing well," says Werner. "He wants to go back to school because he loves learning and reading.” Werner set up a crowdfunding page Tuesday to help with Drees-Segundo’s medical bills. So far, the crowdfunding site has been shared over a thousand times.

“We’re almost halfway to our goal,” she said. “I’m so impressed with the kindness that’s been going on in the community. You hear all these negative things, and with this, my heart is filled with so much joy.” Werner describes Drees-Segundo as a kind, caring soul, who "didn’t deserve what happened." Luke's classmates were delighted to see him again Thursday.

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“He’s doing really well,” she said, “and he can even work a wheelchair like nobody’s business.” Drees-Segundo is home now and following the curriculum as best he can with an iPad on loan from the school. Starting next week, after another surgery Monday, Werner plans to visit him once a week to catch him up on schoolwork.

Luke Drees-Segundo and his teacher, Kate Werner Thursday afternoon. Photo courtesy of Kate Werner.