Gatto's mother was only 19 years old when the attack occurred. Her assailant had plans to murder her as well, but says those plans were thwarted when a bright light from an unknown source appeared. This light gave Gatto's mother the ability to get up and run away before he could do further harm to her. Gatto says, "I like to think of that light as my mother's and (my) guardian angel."

Soon after the attack, Gatto's mother discovered she was pregnant. According to an interview with Gatto for CBS Pittsburgh, her mother never considered abortion.

She did have plans to put her daughter up for adoption, hoping she could be given a more stable life elsewhere. But, after Gatto was born, her grandmother reminded her daughter that God does not give us more than we can handle. She convinced Gatto's mother to raise her little girl herself.

Thus, at 20 years of age, Gatto's mother lay aside plans to attend law school in order to raise her daughter. Gatto grew up living with her mother and maternal grandparents in a stable, loving home. She says she never felt as though her mother regretted her decision to keep her.

Gatto was raised going to church each Sunday and… anticipates using her platform to inspire many with her life and story.

"If I [sat around worrying about who my father was]" said Gatto, I'd "be scared and let the fear of the unknown stop me, I wouldn't be living my life. He put me here to do great things, and I'm not going to let that stop me."

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