Last modified: Wednesday, October 3, 2007 1:04 AM EDT One Norton shooting victim released BY TED NESI SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTON - In a remarkable recovery, one of the two sisters shot in a brutal domestic assault five weeks ago was released from the hospital Monday night, just in time to celebrate her 13th birthday today. Brittany Cann is now staying with her elder sister Amanda, 17, and her father and stepmother, Wayne and Melissa Cann of Easton, at the Ronald MacDonald House next to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, a relative told The Sun Chronicle. The four are remaining there while the other injured sister, Danielle, 16, continues to recuperate at Hasbro. Brittany, Danielle, and their murdered mother, Elizabeth Cann, 44, were all found shot in the head Aug. 27 on the second floor of their home at 384 Reservoir St. in Norton. The shooter was Elizabeth Cann's estranged ex-boyfriend, Robert McDermott, 39, who later killed himself. In an interview, the girls' aunt, Elizabeth Cann's sister, Patti Willis, stressed that both of her nieces have a long rehabilitation ahead of them. But she expressed astonishment at how well their recovery has gone so far. "I don't know what else to call it except a miracle," Willis said. Although the family knew within days of the shooting that the two girls would survive, Willis said it was only about two weeks ago that doctors indicated the two were recuperating quickly enough to be discharged. In fact, she said, the two were supposed to have been discharged to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston last Wednesday, but after some further complications, doctors decided to keep them at Hasbro. On Monday night, however, Brittany was released to her father's care. "Right now, there is medically nothing that needs to be done," Willis said, although she again stressed that Brittany has numerous check-up appointments with doctors each day, and will have to go through extensive rehabilitation. Since both girls suffered severe head wounds, there has been concern about how their cognitive functions will be affected. Willis said Brittany "has some (short term) memory issues - because it's the frontal lobe where the damage is - so, that is where she's going to need the heavy duty rehab." Tests will be done to determine what, if any, long-term damage was done in the shooting. Still, Brittany is now walking and talking. "She is absolutely herself," Willis said. "She has her personality there - she's a wise guy. She loves to tease. "Once, I walked in and I go to sit down on her bed, and she said, 'No, you can't sit down.' And I said, 'I'm tired' - and she said, 'There's a chair over there!' " Brittany has also enjoyed hosting visitors. One day last week, her aunt said, she was holding court in Hasbro's family room as well-wishers came and went. "Her spirits are good, because with the short-term memory issues, she's not really remembering everything," Willis said. Meanwhile, Danielle, the older of the two, remains hospitalized at Hasbro. She is being given antibiotics for an infection that developed in the past week. Like her sister, Danielle will need to undergo cognitive tests to determine the extent of the damage her brain suffered in the attack. Willis described Danielle's mood as darker than her sister's. "She doesn't really speak as much," Willis said. "She's just very, very sad." Both girls are aware of what transpired on the horrific night when they were shot, and both realize that their mother was killed. Brittany has told relatives how much she misses her mom. Willis said their hospital room has been "inundated" with flowers, stuffed animals, pictures, and other greetings. "It's unbelievable," she said. Asked what can be done for the pair, Willis said, "Keep those prayers coming," adding, "I've never been all that religious myself, but the power of prayer is the only thing that's pulling those girls through." Two charitable funds have been set up to aid the girls and their family, one at their late mother's church and another at their father's. D onations to Trinitarian Congregation Church's Cann Family Hope Fund can be sent to P.O. Box 495, Norton, MA 02766. Donations to the Danielle and Brittany Cann Hope Fund can be made online at www.edgewoodchurchofchrist.org; at any Bank of America branch; or by mail to Danielle and Brittany Cann Hope Fund, c/o Bank of America, 93 Brockton Ave., Abington, MA 02351. TED NESI can be reached at tnesi@thesunchronicle.com or 508-236-0434.