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Library Rape Case Victim Needs Aid With Renovations

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Published: October 23, 2008

BRANDON - Friends of an 18-year-old woman who was raped and beaten at Bloomingdale Regional Library in April once again are turning to the community for help.

Instead of money to cover medical expenses, this time they are seeking volunteer electricians, plumbers, carpenters and a general contractor to oversee renovations needed at the victim's home to accommodate her physical and medical needs.

She was 17 and an East Bay High School senior when she was attacked while dropping off books at the library April 24. The attack left her almost blind, brain-damaged and unable to walk or speak.

She has spent the past five months at a Sarasota rehabilitation center. Her Medicaid provider, Amerigroup, has determined she hasn't made significant progress to justify keeping her there at a cost of about $60,000 a month, so she soon will return to her south Hillsborough County home.

The victim's family thought Medicaid would finance some renovations to make the home wheelchair-accessible, family friend Cheryl Zemina said Wednesday. The insurance provider did a home assessment Friday.

On Monday, Zemina and the victim's family were told Medicaid does not cover any renovations. "I figured we'd wait until the assessment before we did anything to the house because Medicaid probably had a list of approved contractors," Zemina said. "Now I find out it didn't matter. They don't cover anything."

Fernando Senra, spokesman for the Agency for Health Care Administration, which oversees the state-run Medicaid program, apologized for the confusion and said the department is looking into the communication misunderstanding. He explained that Medicaid is not authorized by the Legislature to cover renovations to patients' homes.

"But we'll continue to work with the family and the Medicaid HMO to make sure the transition is done to adequately meet her needs and see that her care continues, and that whatever medical equipment she might need is provided," Senra said.

He said Medicaid covers the cost of medical equipment and transportation to doctor appointments.

Senra said the nonprofit Self Reliance Center for Independent Living in Tampa may provide grant money for renovations. And part of more than $22,000 raised at a recent benefit might be used for renovations.

Anyone wishing to volunteer to help renovate the house can contact Zemina at jzemina@aol.com.

Bloomingdale High School student Kendrick Morris is charged with the attack and remains in Orient Road Jail without bail.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524.

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