The hospital included a statement from the family thanking people "for your thoughts and prayers as Jaylene recovers. We truly appreciate the support our family has received during this difficult time. Please keep the prayers coming for Jaylene's full recovery so she can get back to the dance classes she loves so much."



The statements were released the same day a 17-year-old suspect in the shooting is to appear in Juvenile Court on charges of aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm, according to the state's attorney office.



Jaylene was playing in the 2100 block of North Bingham Street on Monday night when a gunman drove by in a silver Hyundai and someone inside the car fired shots, police said. The gunman apparently was aiming at a group of Spanish Cobra gang members inside the house but hit Jaylene in the back, police said.



A man walked out to see her bleeding on the sidewalk, picked her up and put her into a silver Toyota driven by another man, police said.



They headed south on Western Avenue toward Presence Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center. They soon were followed by a police commander who heard the shots and thought the car was somehow involved, the report said.



The commander learned the car was carrying the victim and later spoke to the girl's mother at the hospital, police said. Jaylene was transferred to Stroger Hospital in critical condition.



The teen was arrested Tuesday after police identified him as the shooter.



Jaylene also suffered a collapsed lung.



"It was a miracle for (the bullet) not to go any closer (to her heart). They said it was pretty deep," Jaylene's aunt, who asked not to be identified for her safety, said earlier this week. "The doctors told her that she was extremely lucky.



"She feels a lot better. She's more responsive, which is amazing,'' her aunt added. "Things are looking up."