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Boy Faces Judge In Rape Cases; Mom There On Probation Charge

Tribune file photo by JAY CONNER (2008)

Kendrick Morris appeared before a judge earlier this month, too. His mother, Lisa Stevens, stood behind him.

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By THOMAS W.  KRAUSE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 20, 2008

TAMPA - A teenager -- accused of rape -- and his mother -- accused of violating probation -- appeared in court this morning before the same judge.

Kendrick Morris, a 16-year-old charged in two rape cases, was arraigned before Circuit Judge J. Rogers Padgett. His mother, Lisa Stevens, 36, appeared for a violation of probation hearing before Padgett.

Morris, in custody without bail, sat with a host of other inmates. His mother, out of jail on her own recognizance, sat in the rear of the courtroom. When she came before the judge, she was told her case was being continued.

In February, Stevens was sentenced to one year probation after pleading guilty to a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a child. She had been charged with aggravated child abuse for beating Morris but pleaded to a lesser charge.

Stevens was arrested on April 21, charged with violating probation by driving with a suspended license.

Formal charges against her son were filed last week. At arraignment, the defendant is told about the charges, is provided an attorney and enters a plea.

Morris was appointed an attorney from the public defender's office.

He pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, armed burglary, armed robbery, attempted sexual battery and four counts of sexual battery with injury.

The charges relate to two cases, one April 24 involving an 18-year-old at Bloomingdale Regional Public Library and one involving a day care worker on June 28.

Authorities say Morris, a Bloomingdale High School freshman, was at the library in Valrico to wait for his mother, who was released from jail that night. The 18-year-old woman was returning books. Hillsborough County sheriff's detectives say he raped and beat the girl unconscious.

After his arrest, DNA linked him to the rape of a worker at Children's Lighthouse Day Care Center in Clair-Mel City, prosecutors said.

Several of the charges against Morris are punishable by up to life in prison.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.

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