In 2019, Toniel Taylor was awakened at 4 a.m. by an intruder in her West Side apartment.

The assailant, who broke into her home through her window, was a familiar face: an acquaintance who had begun stalking her in an attempt to pursue a romantic relationship.

The man brutally attacked Taylor, at one point with a pair of scissors. One of Taylor’s young sons was in the other room as she fought for her life. She was eventually able to call the police. The man was later convicted. After the attack, Taylor knew she had to move.

“Every time I’m there it’s like: rewind,” she said. “It’s an episode of someone coming through your window, and they’re beating you out of your sleep, and then they’re taking scissors and want to cut your throat. That’s a nightmare.”

Taylor was eventually able to se

See Full Page