WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a 4-year-old girl who survived a stabbing that left her 6-year-old sister dead and the girls’ mother injured spent seven to eight hours alone in the cold before she was rescued near Wichita.

The 4-year-old was able to run away when the mother cut their attacker in the throat and briefly interrupted the assault.

Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett is sharing the girl’s escape story, dating back to November, because the case against the attacker has been resolved. The man has waived his right to appeal after entering a plea and agreeing to spend 50 years in prison. The Associated Press is withholding his name to prevent potentially identifying a sexual assault victim. Police said the girls’ mother was sexually assaulted.