Mom Lures Intruder Away From Home to Save Kids, Gets Stabbed 20 Times: Cops

A brave mom is recovering from several stab wounds after luring an intruder away from her California home to save her daughters, according to police.

Police say a man was on a crime spree Tuesday night when he ran up to a home in Lake Forest and smashed the back sliding-glass door. Marylou Palos was inside with her two teenage daughters.

The man allegedly grabbed a knife from the kitchen and began terrorizing Palos and the teens. The mom then ran out to the street screaming for help, she said, in a desperate attempt to keep the intruder away from her children.

Her plan worked — the man chased after her. Security camera footage shows Palos being chased down the street as she yells.

However, the man eventually caught up with her. Police say he stabbed Palos 20 times.

Neighbors witnessed the attack before the man allegedly continued on his spree and attempted to break into a home and carjack others. The attacks didn't stop, police say, until a passerby pepper-sprayed him.

"I am still recovering," Palos texted Inside Edition from the hospital.

The suspect has been charged with attempted murder.

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