Camden social worker on life support after being stabbed 21 times

CAMDEN, N.J. -- Security has been stepped up at a Camden office building where a state child welfare worker was stabbed earlier this week.

The head of a union that represents caseworkers said she has been told Human Services Department police are now working at the building. But Communications Workers of America area director Hetty Rosenstein did not know what the plans were going forward.

She said previously that police officers who worked from the office were removed after Friday as part of reorganization. A spokesman for the Children and Families Department did not return messages Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Caseworker Leah Coleman is on life support after being stabbed repeatedly inside a state office building Monday. She was reportedly stabbed 21 times.

The stabbing occurred around 1:30 p.m. in an office building on the 100 block of Haddon Avenue, just three days after security was reduced there.

Authorities said Coleman remains at Cooper University Hospital.

Thirty-year-old Taisha Edwards has been charged with attempted murder and other offenses.

Angel Moore, of Camden, said she was with her caseworker on the fourth floor of the state office building when the attack occurred.

"She was on top of her just stabbing her and stabbing her," Moore said.

She said it was that much more terrifying to see the attacker was someone she has known since childhood, someone Moore described as a person who has been dealing with mental issues for years.

"I know she's been through some stuff," she said. "She takes medication. I just talked to her mom. She has not been taking her medication."

Witnesses said the attacker simply pulled out a knife and started stabbing the employee repeatedly.

Larry Randall, the victim's union representative, says this incident could have been avoided if this building was equipped with metal detectors.

"It's almost appalling," he said. "Because if you think about what our members do...you need to be protected when you're inside these buildings."