After Months Of Rehab, Injured Oklahoma Teen Returns Home

A Fairland, Oklahoma teenager is back home after spending four months of intense rehab in a Denver hospital.

Owen Looper has been gone since prosecutors say a classmate attacked him, broke his neck and left him with only minimal ability from the neck down.

Tuesday, Owen boarded the hour-long flight to Tulsa with his family by his side. Just after landing at the airport, more family and friends lined up to welcome him home.

"We are so lucky to have him in Oklahoma. It will make it a lot easier to support him, and manage him, and we just cannot wait,” said Owen’s stepmother, Debbie Looper.

In November, prosecutors say classmate Jace Williams attacked Owen and beat him while at school in Afton.

He's been working to gain back his strength and recover as best he can.

“It is great. I've been out of my home state for way too long,” he said.

Owen might not walk again, but his family said support like this goes a long way toward his recovery.

"He had a little bit of pep in him today, getting up early, which he usually hates to do. Getting ready and going to the airport and through security," said Owen’s father, John Looper.

John Looper, a recently retired state trooper, also had several colleagues to welcome Owen home.

"They were all, from the very beginning, from the day he was hurt, until now, they're all very much involved in keeping up with how he is doing on a day by day basis,” he said. "It is it is just very heartwarming.”

“For the family, for John, and for Owen and for the rest of the family, we wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Lieutenant Mike Childress said.

“It is great, and I never would've expected it,” Owen said.

If you’d like to help, a Go Fund Me page has been created to help with Owen’s recovery.

There is also a Facebook event with information on how you can help. You can find more here.

As for Williams, the man accused of attacking Owen, he's charged with felony assault and battery. Records show he's due in court on April 13th.