Emily Rand was hospitalized following the Oct. 30 altercation when the teen hit her head on the sidewalk, fracturing her skull
NEW BRUNSWICK -- The 19-year-old college student who suffered severe head injuries after being punched in the face near Rutgers has returned home after more than two months in the hospital, her family said.
Emily Rand, a student at Middlesex County College, was hospitalized following an Oct. 30 altercation when the South Amboy teen hit her head on the sidewalk, fracturing her skull, after being punched in the face by an unnamed man.
Emily Rand, on right, with her family on Dec. 25, 2016. (Photo courtesy of Debbie O'Connor) "She was very excited to leave, and was ready to go when I got there," Rand's aunt, Debbie O'Connor, said on Facebook. "Once we got home she wanted to straighten up her room which was full of all the bags she accumulated while in the hospital."
New Brunswick police said previously that the department would not file charges against the man, saying Rand was the aggressor in the incident. Part of the altercation near the intersection of Robinson and Hamilton streets was captured on camera.
Rand was released Friday following weeks of recovery and rehab at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She will still need outpatient physical, speech and cognitive therapy, according to O'Connor.
"She is cooperating very well with wearing her helmet whenever she is up," O'Connor said online last week. "She continues to have daily headaches with some worse than others. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers."
It was unclear if Rand or her family plan to press charges or file a civil complaint. When asked Tuesday, O'Connor said Rand has asked for privacy.
New Brunswick police Capt. JT Miller said there were no significant updates in the investigation. Detectives still have additional questions for Rand, according to Miller, but said she has been experiencing memory issues.
"It will take some time," Miller said.
A GoFundMe Page started by her uncle Bob O'Connor has raised more than $6,500 to help pay for her medical care.
Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.