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Read the press release here.

UES Stabbing Victim's Family Thanks Mysterious Good Samaritan Nurse

By  Chelsia Rose Marcius and Amy Zimmer | July 19, 2012 9:55pm 

UPPER EAST SIDE — The family of the 25-year-old nail salon worker stabbed in the stomach by a knife-wielding homeless man Tuesday wanted to thank a mysterious good Samaritan nurse, who stayed by Sabatha Tirado's side, calming her down, until EMS arrived.

As Tirado remained hospitalized Thursday at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, her family said her condition was improving.

"She's slowly healing. She's improving every day," said her mother, Alicia Arroyo, 46, a retired New York City police officer. "She's not yet ready to go home."

The Astoria resident, who works at the European Wax Center on 82nd Street and First Avenue, was running an errand at East 86th Street near Second Avenue at 10:30 a.m,, when a man lunged for her black pocketbook and plunged a knife into her stomach, police sources said.

Arroyo expressed her gratitude to the nurse, who was helpful in the critical minutes after Tirado was stabbed.

"There was a nurse on the scene, from what I know, who stayed by her side," Arroyo said outside the hospital. "It was a stranger. My daughter says she stayed by her side...tried to keep her calm until the EMS arrived."

Arroyo continued, "I would love to thank her. My daughter would love to thank her. But we don't know who this Good Samaritan is."

Tirado was on a liquid intravenous diet, unable to eat or drink, her mother said. She was able to walk a few steps on Thursday.

"She's still in a lot of pain and I think it will be a while before she can actually walk," Arroyo said.

Tirado remained frightened by the horrific experience, her mom said.

"It is a life altering experience," Arroyo said.

"Everyone who knows her will tell you she's the kindest person you'll ever meet," she added. "This was a shock to everyone because she's the last person on earth you'd expect this to ever happen to."

Tirado's fiancé, Miguel Ramirez, noted, "She's doing well," adding, "That's the good thing about it."

Curtis Forteau, 29, who has a history of violence and mental illness, was arrested for allegedly stabbing Tirado while he was en route to the Wards Island shelter Tuesday night.

He was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court and charged with attempted murder, assault and two counts of attempted robbery, according to the criminal complaint.

The family has started a fund for Tirado, whose injuries, they say, won't be covered by her medical insurance.