A Southern California grandmother remains hospitalized with traumatic injuries after a man brutally attacked her with a metal baseball bat and stole her belongings.

Therese Garcia, 71, had welcomed the suspect, Erik Eduardo Navarro, 26, of Orange County, into her Crestline home after she spotted him walking in his neighborhood.

As they chatted, he told Therese a “heartbreaking” story about having all of his belongings stolen while he was camping nearby.

Described by loved ones as a kind-hearted and generous woman who liked to help others, Therese sympathized with his woes and agreed to let Navarro stay at her house temporarily.

Therese Garcia, 71, was hospitalized with traumatic injuries after she was beaten by a man she tried to help. (GoFundMe)
Therese Garcia, 71, was hospitalized with traumatic injuries after she was beaten by a man she tried to help. (GoFundMe)
Therese Garcia, 71, a beloved grandmother, is seen in a family photo. (GoFundMe)
Therese Garcia, 71, a beloved grandmother, is seen in a family photo. (GoFundMe)
Therese Garcia, 71, a beloved grandmother, is seen in a family photo. (GoFundMe)
Erik Eduardo Navarro, 26, an Orange County resident, is wanted by investigators in connection with the beating of a 71-year-old woman in Crestline on Aug. 25, 2026. (SBSD)

She took care of him and cooked for him every night. The woman’s daughter, Abbie Garcia, said her mother believed the man was a “sweet kid” who was simply down on his luck and needed help.

After six days of staying at the home, Navarro reportedly began making demands while gradually taking over the house. Therese eventually told him it was time to leave.

Later that night, he waited until she was asleep on the couch before grabbing a metal baseball bat and violently beating her.

During the brutal attack, Therese lost consciousness. When she would wake up, Navarro would continue beating her again until she passed out. The horrifying cycle continued for hours until he believed Therese was dead, Abbie said.

He then took her phone, credit cards, keys, e-bike and other belongings and fled the home. On Aug. 25, Therese’s neighbors called authorities for a welfare check on the woman.

When deputies entered the home, they found Therese with severe head and facial injuries, along with a traumatic brain injury, broken bones and serious injuries to her eyes, arm and hand.

“If it weren’t for the neighbors calling the police, my mother would have bled to death alone in her home,” Abbie said.

Therese has been hospitalized since. Although she is stable, Abbie said her mother is still in immense pain and is struggling with the aftermath of her brain injury.

“She suffered other internal injuries and spent days vomiting blood,” Abbie wrote on a GoFundMe to help her mother. “She may need facial surgery once the swelling goes down. We don’t yet know what her recovery will look like or how much care she will need once she leaves the hospital. Now she faces a long road to recovery without health insurance.”

Navarro remains at large and is being sought by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities released a photograph of Navarro and are asking for the public’s help in finding him.

Erik Eduardo Navarro, 26, an Orange County resident, is wanted by investigators in connection with the beating of a 71-year-old woman in Crestline on Aug. 25, 2026. (SBSD)
Abbie said she hopes the suspect is found soon before he targets another victim.

“My mom didn’t deserve this,” Abbie said. “She was simply trying to help someone she believed was in need, something she has always done throughout her life. This time, her kindness was met with unimaginable violence.”

Anyone with information about the investigation or Navarro’s whereabouts is urged to call SBSD’s Twin Peaks Station at 909-336-0660.

Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip by calling 844-909-3006, texting “REPORT” to 844-909-3006 or online at wetip.com.

A GoFundMe page to help Therese with medical expense