14-year-old suspect arrested for sexually abusing 91-year-old Reddick woman, sheriff says

Stream FOX 35 News

ORLANDO, Florida. – Authorities in Marion County have made an arrest in a burglary and rape investigation in which a 91-year-old Reddick woman was awakened and attacked, investigators said.

Forensic investigators with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office positively identified the suspect as a 14-year-old boy.

Officials said the victim woke up early Sunday, June 9, around midnight to find an intruder in her home. The woman was beaten and sexually assaulted by the suspect, investigators said.

Using DNA evidence, investigators were able to identify a suspect. During an interview with detectives, the teenager admitted to illegally entering the victim’s home, according to the sheriff’s office.

RELATED: Florida community in turmoil as authorities search for suspected rapist: ‘Simply devastating’

“I told everyone last week that we were going to find the person responsible, and we did,” said Sheriff Billy Woods. “I’m very proud of the hard work my detectives and forensics team did on this case to get to a quick resolution.”

Sheriff Woods described the incident as an act of “unimaginable violence.”

RELATED: ‘She started praying’: Niece speaks out after her 91-year-old aunt was sexually abused in a Marion County home

“It was a shock that someone would commit such an act against a 91-year-old, but it is truly disturbing when we consider the young age of the man arrested,” the sheriff added. “While I firmly believe he should be held accountable for his crime, as a father my sympathies go out to his family. Hopefully his arrest will lead to him receiving help to prevent further acts of this kind.”

Sheriff Woods said the people of Reddick have shown “resilience and support for us and their community” throughout the investigation.

A reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest in the case, but the sheriff’s office did not release any further details.

The teenager was taken into custody and transferred to Florida State Juvenile Court.