Teacher’s aide hospitalized after allegedly being beaten by her daughter in Kensington

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A 36-year-old Kensington woman is facing charges for allegedly beating her mother so badly that she ended up in the hospital in critical condition.

Philadelphia police say Rebecca Kokat is charged with assault and reckless endangerment.

Authorities found the 67-year-old victim with severe injuries in Kokat’s home along Emerald Street on Monday. The victim works as a teacher’s aide at Visitation BVM Catholic School on Lehigh Avenue.

School officials contacted police after they had not heard from her in almost a week. Many of those colleagues were there as Kokat was arrested and her mother was rescued.

“It was devastating. She was really bruised up, she had a cut on her head, she didn’t have any pants on,” said Samantha Shorter of Kensington, who owns Drunken Jerk Chicken across the street. She said Kokat had patronized her business in the past.

“I just felt like she needed some help because she was mentally unstable. That you can see for yourself,” she added.

Another neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said disturbances at the home were frequent.

“I was so concerned about the interactions and what sounded like physical altercations at times,” the neighbor said.

Police have not released further details about what occurred inside the house, which is now surrounded by caution tape and has broken, boarded-up windows.

The school and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia declined to comment. The investigation is ongoing.