MARION COUNTY — A 34-year-old resident of a Salem CILA home has been found mentally fit to stand trial for the alleged stabbing of a caregiver at the home in January.

Tyler Watson remains in custody on a half-million-dollar bond on two Class X felony charges of attempted murder and one of armed violence, along with one Class 3 felony charge of aggravated battery.

According to Salem police, a 20-year-old employee of the CILA home fled the house as she was being assaulted by Watson, who exited the house with a kitchen knife and proceeded to stab her numerous times.

The victim was able to escape the property in the vehicle and call 911; however, as a result of her serious injuries, she crashed her vehicle into the yard of a residence in the 500 block of Airport Road. The victim was transported to Salem Township Hospital, then flown to St Louis University Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Watson was taken into custody at the scene and was transported to Salem Township Hospital for treatment of cuts to his hands. He was then transported to the Marion County Jail where he’s remained since.

A mental health evaluation was quickly ordered in court. Dr. Daniel Cuneo ultimately submitted the results of Watson’s evaluation and the Court on Tuesday found the defendant fit to stand trial.

The case is now scheduled for a May 3 preliminary hearing.

Watson was convicted in 2016 of misdemeanor battery of a group home employee in that community and is currently the subject of a guardianship case in Marion County.