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Hlavinka released from Colo. hospital

Victim is local dentist involved in Sunday's apparent domestic assault

Leasa Hlavinka, the stabbing victim in Sunday night's apparent domestic assault, has been released from the hospital.

Hlavinka was airlifted to the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colo., after she was stabbed by her husband, Dana Hlavinka, at the couple's home. He was then killed by Sidney Police when two officers entered the home, encountered him with a knife and shot him.

In a Facebook post from Wednesday evening, Leasa Hlavinka wrote, "Friends and family – I was released from the hospital today and am spending some time with family before heading home. Please give us space and time to heal our emotional wounds. Thank you so much for your compassion, love and support."

Hlavinka is a local dentist who owns LifeSmiles of Sidney. According to a post on the LifeSmiles' Facebook page, Hlavinka will be taking a few weeks of medical leave. The practice is still open and taking appointments, and other dentists will be covering hygiene checkups and emergencies.

As police arrived on scene shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday, Leasa Hlavinka was seen bleeding from her wounds and running away from the residence. Dana Hlavinka – armed with a knife – was killed by police officers responding to a 911 call, according to Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub in a statement released after the altercation.

The Hlavinkas' two young children were not at home at the time of the incident, according to multiple sources familiar with the case but who asked not to be identified. Those same sources said the children were at Leasa Hlavinka's mother's home at the time because Leasa was planning to tell her husband that she wanted a divorce.

A benefit account has been set up for for the Hlavinka children at Security First Bank in Sidney. Checks can be made payable to the "Zoey and Liam Hlavinka Benefit Fund" and can be deposited locally or mailed to: Security First Bank, P.O. Box 137, Sidney NE 69162-0137.

Corey O'Brien of the Nebraska Attorney General's office has been appointed as the special acting county attorney in the case. The Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska State Patrol responded to the scene following the officer-involved shooting and are also investigating.

This is the first officer-involved fatal shooting for the Sidney Police Department since June 20, 2010.

 

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