Stephanie Branch

Jewel Hardin, 79, feels lucky to be alive, and she says she owes her life to her granddaughter Stephanie Branch.

According to reports from the Crittenden County Sherriff's Department, the two women were attacked Monday, Aug. 18 just after 4 p.m. in their home located on Highway 118 about five miles outside of Tyronza.

"A man broke in on us and attacked me," Hardin said. "He knocked me over and starting choking me. I believe he would have killed me if Stephanie didn't come in there when she did."

Reports say the man attacked Hardin by hitting her in the head with a bike pump as she was entering the residence.

Hardin said Branch heard noise in the living room and upon seeing her grandmother being attacked, she confronted the man, later identified as Chardonta Annize Garrett of 252 Upshaw Road in Turrell.

"She starting screaming at him and then ran to the bathroom," Hardin said. "He started chasing her and told her he was going to hurt her."

Branch tried to lock herself in the bathroom, but Garret knocked in the door. According to reports, Branch said Garrett struck her several times in the face, splitting her lip open on the right side. She said Garrett also tried to rip her clothes, but she began fighting back and he ran from the room.

"Stephanie was so brave," Hardin said. "She kept throwing things at him and fighting him off."

Hardin said when she regained consciousness after being choked ,she got a butcher knife from the kitchen and chased the man from the house.

"He tried to steal my car, but there weren't any keys in it and he couldn't figure out how to get it started," Hardin said.

Hardin said Garrett, who was unarmed according to reports, took her purse and $700 in cash.

Garrett was arrested Thursday, Aug. 21 by the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department. He was charged with residential burglary, two counts of battery in the first degree, theft of property and breaking or entering from a vehicle.

"I just can't tell how much I appreciate Stephanie for saving my life," Hardin said.