HELENA-WEST Helena, Ark. — Authorities are searching for the person they say raped a 77-year-old woman at an Arkansas assisted living facility.
Helena-West Helena Police said a man entered the victim’s room Sunday night at Heritage Hill Manor. The woman was staying in a relative’s apartment, and her husband was asleep across the hall.
“This is very important because this could be my mother, my grandmother, it could be anybody, and it’s very crucial with this small town we live in that we actually get some kind of information,” said Helena-West Helena Police Chief James Smith.
Surveillance images showing a hooded man have been released. The man is a person of interest.
“The surveillance footage is very critical due to the fact it gives us a basic height, weight, description of this individual,” Smith said.
The woman said it was dark, but she attempted to fight off the attacker. She’s recovering from her physical injuries but must now endure the emotional impact.
“Well she’s disturbed,” Smith said. “I mean anybody who goes through this type of trauma it’s going to take a little bit to be able to trust individuals.”
Authorities said it appears the suspect was able to gain access to the apartments through an unlocked front door.
“This is a place that normally has a secure front door, main entrance. Normally you’re buzzed in. Those are some of the things that we look at,” Smith said.
Today we called a phone number listed online for Heritage Hill Manor, but no one answered.
As detectives continue their investigation, the chief has a message.
“It’s a very gross crime, it’s a heinous crime, and we’re asking anyone in the community, anybody that knows something, say something about it,” Smith said.
The chief says they’ve never had major calls to this home before.
If you know anything, you’re asked to call the Helena West Helena Police Department at 870-572-3441.
