Orion Township caseworker stabbed and hospitalized, suspect arrested

A caseworker out of Orion Township was met with a terrifying situation where investigators say they were attacked at their home on Wednesday.

The caseworker helps refugees from Afghanistan get resettled in Michigan. 

What they're saying:

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard says a refugee helped by the caseworker somehow tracked down their home on Red Root Road, showed up there, and stabbed them repeatedly. Officials say the victim was sent to the hospital in critical condition.

"We don’t know specifically what his complaint was or his motive was because the individual that was attacked is in surgery, as we speak," said Bouchard. "He was stabbed multiple times."

Elias Muawad is a criminal defense attorney who also works on immigration issues. He says there are lots of problems with the current system that need to be addressed.

"I’m not going to tell you that it happens all the time but statistically you don’t know who these people are, you don’t know what kind of criminal record they have, you don’t know what mental health issues they had," he said. 

Police say the caseworker spent a day in surgery as investigators try to put together the backstory that led to the stabbing. 

Meanwhile, lawmakers are currently discussing immigration issues in Washington D.C.

"The biggest issue for a lot of these immigrants is claiming asylum. And they have to prove to the immigration judge that if they go back to their country they are going to be in fear of death or serious injury," said Muawad. "It’s hard to prove."

The suspect has been arrested. The caseworker has been getting better, according to officials. 

Deputies are hoping to speak to the victim as soon as they can for more information. Police say it is unknown why the suspect attacked. 

The Source: FOX 2 talked with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office for information on the incident.

Lake OrionCrime and Public Safety