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State Solves Rape Victim's Insurance Problem

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 1, 2008

TAMPA - The 18-year-old victim of a brutal beating and rape attack three months ago, who remains incapacitated and in long-term rehabilitation, has gotten some help from the state.

The family of the teen had received a letter from the insurance company that said the teen had to be moved from her current rehabilitation facility to another. The family and the teen's doctors disputed the insurer's decision, and the state stepped in.

A Florida Department of Financial Services' spokeswoman this morning confirmed that the department's consumer insurance advocate had intervened in the case, ensuring that the long-term care for the 18-year-old woman, who was attacked outside the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library on April 24, will continue uninterrupted.

Jerri Franz, spokeswoman for the department, said the health insurance company that had covered medical costs for the teenager since the attack had sent a letter to the family saying the teen would have to be moved to another facility for coverage to continue.

Franz said doctors and therapists all had disagreed with the plan to move the woman, and the state's advocate intervened.

"Her current doctors felt like [a move to a different facility] would interfere with her progress," Franz said, "and that she would not be able to overcome that. She would lose ground. So we made a call on family's behalf."

The state cannot force the insurance company to pay expenses, but the unnamed company agreed to allow the teenager to remain where she is, Franz said. "We are extremely pleased that she will be able to stay in her facility."

The case has drawn strong sympathy in the area for the victim, who was a senior at East Bay High School and future University of Florida student. She was returning books to the library's outdoor bins on the night she was attacked.

She sustained severe injuries during the rape, and doctors say she likely suffered several strokes caused by attempts to strangle her. She had been hospitalized at Tampa General Hospital. She has not regained her sight. Her name has not been released because of the nature of the incident.

A 16-year-old Clair-Mel City youth has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, aggravated battery and sexual battery.

Kendrick Morris has pleaded not guilty of the charges and awaits trial on that and rape charges stemming from a previous attack near his home last year. He remains in the Orient Road Jail. Bail has not been set.

He also is charged with raping a 62-year-old woman at a day care center near his home in June 2007. If convicted, he faces a possible life prison sentence.

The library victim likely will require full time care for the foreseeable future.

Besides the strokes, she suffered a fractured forehead and a fracture near the tip of her nose.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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