Parks Has Surgery to Replace Pacemaker

Civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks underwent surgery Friday to replace her malfunctioning pacemaker, but doctors said it was unclear whether the problem was related to the recent assault she suffered during a break-in.

Doctors at Harper Hospital in Detroit said the malfunction, related to cracked insulation on the device’s lead wire, was discovered during a routine monthly clinical check Thursday.

Parks, 81, was admitted to the hospital Friday morning and the procedure, performed with local anesthesia, was successful.

On Aug. 30, a man broke into Parks’ Detroit home, demanded money and struck her several times in the face. He fled with $53.

Authorities have charged Joseph Skipper, 28, with three counts of breaking and entering with intent to commit unarmed robbery for the break-in at Parks’ home and those of two other elderly women.