RALEIGH, N.C. – A Cary man pleaded guilty Friday morning to an attempted murder charge in connection to a machete attack.
Authorities said 21-year-old Neel Mehta attacked Priyanka Kumari after she got off a school bus near her Apex home in January 2017.
The victim's father says the attack left her with scars on her face, neck and arms.
Mehta also pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.
Mehta’s family released a statement: “On Jan. 12, 2017, the lives of the Kumari family and Mehta family changed forever. Since the beginning, Neel's mother and father has prayed for Priyanka Kumari's recovery. Neel's mother and father apologize for Neel's actions and pray that one day the Kumari family can find it in their hearts to forgive Neel. The family requests privacy at this time. God Bless."
Mehta will spend at least 18 years behind bars.
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