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Elderly North Lauderdale Woman Sexually Battered In Home

NORTH LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - Sunday night was quiet for an 84-year-old woman living in the Broadview Estates neighborhood in North Lauderdale, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

She was watching Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Around 10 pm, there was a knock on her door. She did not know the man, so she did not answer.

She resumed watching the game.

But a short time later, the elderly woman heard a noise in her back bedroom.

She went to investigate and found the same man who appeared at her door entering her home through an unlocked window.

BSO detectives say the woman told them she tried to get the man to leave. However, he refused and began to beat her then raped her.

Her son, who asked that his name not be disclosed, is outraged.

"He made my mother look like she had been in a bar room fight," the son told CBS 4's Carey Codd, adding that his mother had bruises on her eyes and was punched in the head, mouth and sides of the head. "He's a violent, violent animal. He belongs in a cage."

Broward Sheriff's deputies are working to lock up the attacker. Investigators spent time Monday afternoon handing out reward flyers to people who live near the victim's home. A Crimestoppers van cruised the neighborhood for hours.

"I need the public to help me because (the attacker) could break into somebody else's house and we don't want that to happen," Det. Julie Bower said.

Investigators said the attacker escaped through the same bedroom window through which he entered. The victim was able to provide only a vague description.

Her son said his mother is fortunate to be alive.

"He put a pillow over her head," the son explained. "Tried to suffocate her and if she wasn't a scrapper and did not fight her way out she would be dead. There's no doubt in my mind he tried to kill her."

Neighbors could not believe the details.

"It turns your stomach," said Richard Dancer. "To find out something like this happened in your neighborhood, especially to a nice old woman like that, you want these people caught."

The victim's son wants that, also. He said despite his mother's strong nature, she is terrified.

"How do you go to your grave in your upper 80's with this happening to you?" he said. "He will make her get to her grave early by what he's done. She thought she was dying. She thought she was dying and at 84 years old, no one should feel this way."

The victim was released from a local hospital and is with family members.

Detectives believe the attacker targeted the woman because he knew she lived alone. They also believe the attacker likely lives in the North Lauderdale area.

If anyone has information in this case, you are urged to call Broward Crimestoppers at 954 493-TIPS. All calls are anonymous.

There is a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person responsible.

North Lauderdale Sexual Battery Flier

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