[URL]http://www.kristv.com/global/story.asp?s=11123511[/URL]
Updated: Sep 13, 2009 11:36 PM CDT
Man Tries To Sexually Assault Woman In Church
CORPUS CHRISTI - A man is behind bars Sunday night after police said he tried to sexually assault a 77-year-old woman inside a church Sunday morning.
Police said the attack happened at around 7 a.m. Sunday morning at the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church on Saratoga Boulevard.
As the woman fought for her life, some quick-thinking church members came to her aid.
The church's Pastor, Father Bob Dunn, said though the woman is out of the hospital, "There's going to be a lot of bruising, you know? It's going to take a while to heal, but the psychological damage is going to be much more difficult."
Police said that attack happened when the woman was opening the church's gift shop. The woman walked over to a storage closet to get some candles when a man approached her and asked her what time the service started.
"This stranger came from nowhere and grabbed her, and at that point, she somehow grabbed the handle, she literally took the handle off the door, and he pushed her inside and tried to take advantage of her," Dunn said.
Dunn said she hit the suspect, Frederick Anderson, 35, with the doorknob several times, and her cries for help could be heard by other church members who called police.
Meanwhile, some of the members of the Knights of Columbus were able to detain Anderson.
Police arrested him on aggravated kidnapping and injury to an elderly person.
"This is a brave woman. I mean, she doesn't weigh 100 pounds and she's like 70 and she struggled and she fought him off," Dunn said.
Father Dunn said the woman suffered a severe cut to the back of her head and multiple bruises.
The church held a special prayer for her at Sunday's service. Father Dunn said he's asking the church to pray for Anderson as well.
"I can't imagine that someone could be so filled with hatred and rancor that their soul would be so weighed down to want to hurt an innocent little 77-year-old woman, but we will pray for him," Dunn said.
Online Reporter: Crystal Jenkins
Updated: Sep 13, 2009 11:36 PM CDT
CORPUS CHRISTI - A man is behind bars Sunday night after police said he tried to sexually assault a 77-year-old woman inside a church Sunday morning.
Police said the attack happened at around 7 a.m. Sunday morning at the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church on Saratoga Boulevard.
As the woman fought for her life, some quick-thinking church members came to her aid.
The church's Pastor, Father Bob Dunn, said though the woman is out of the hospital, "There's going to be a lot of bruising, you know? It's going to take a while to heal, but the psychological damage is going to be much more difficult."
Police said that attack happened when the woman was opening the church's gift shop. The woman walked over to a storage closet to get some candles when a man approached her and asked her what time the service started.
"This stranger came from nowhere and grabbed her, and at that point, she somehow grabbed the handle, she literally took the handle off the door, and he pushed her inside and tried to take advantage of her," Dunn said.
Dunn said she hit the suspect, Frederick Anderson, 35, with the doorknob several times, and her cries for help could be heard by other church members who called police.
Meanwhile, some of the members of the Knights of Columbus were able to detain Anderson.
Police arrested him on aggravated kidnapping and injury to an elderly person.
"This is a brave woman. I mean, she doesn't weigh 100 pounds and she's like 70 and she struggled and she fought him off," Dunn said.
Father Dunn said the woman suffered a severe cut to the back of her head and multiple bruises.
The church held a special prayer for her at Sunday's service. Father Dunn said he's asking the church to pray for Anderson as well.
"I can't imagine that someone could be so filled with hatred and rancor that their soul would be so weighed down to want to hurt an innocent little 77-year-old woman, but we will pray for him," Dunn said.
Online Reporter: Crystal Jenkins
