Mallory Owens, the Mobile, Alabama woman who was attacked violently on Thanksgiving Day by her girlfriend's brother, 18-year-old Travis Hawkins, Jr., says she was not beaten because she is gay.

Owens, 23, suffered multiple skull fractures and crushed bones as a result of the attack. Her mother, Kristi Taylor, told media outlets that her daughter was beaten because she is gay.

On Tuesday, the day after Owens left the hospital, she disputed the claim, insisting that the attack was not motivated by hate.

“It's not a hate crime at all,” Owens' girlfriend, Ally Hawkins, told WKRG.com. “We both know the reason why this happened. I'm not defending him at all. Know why he was angry and that will come out.”

Travis Hawkins has been charged with second degree assault. According to his lawyer, he has gone into hiding after receiving death threats. He is expected to be arraigned on December 10.

A fund to help cover Owens' medical bills has been set up at Regions Bank (1-800-REGIONS).