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Library Rape Victim To Get Help

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

dlwhite@tampatrib.com

Published: January 10, 2009

Updated: 01/10/2009 10:23 pm

BRANDON - A team of volunteer therapists is taking over the care of an 18-year-old woman who survived being raped and beaten nearly to death at the Bloomingdale Regional Library last April.

Family friend and physical therapist Cheryl Zemina said therapy services that had been covered by the state's insurance soon will end for the young woman, who is back at her South Shore home. Professionals in the community, however, have offered to make sure she receives all the therapy she needs.

The former East Bay High School student, whose name is being withheld to protect her identity, was attacked the evening of April 24 while returning books to the library.

She spent weeks at Tampa General Hospital. Unable to speak, see or move her arms and legs, she was later transferred to a rehabilitation center in Sarasota. After she showed little progress during her five months at the rehabilitation center, her doctors and family agreed to send her home Nov. 1.

The University of South Florida's Department of Speech Pathology will provide speech therapy in hopes of enabling her to communicate, Zemina said.

"They are very hopeful they can do something to help her," she said.

Zemina also is coordinating a team of volunteer physical and occupational therapists who will work to ensure the young woman has care.

"Unfortunately, we measure progress in microns with miles to go," she said. "But the community support is very much appreciated. The love and prayers of the community are the main thing that keeps this family going."

Kendrick Morris, 17, has been charged with rape and aggravated assault in the case. He has been at the Falkenburg Road Jail without bail since his arrest April 26. No trial date is scheduled.

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

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