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Report: Student Sexually Assaulted By Classmate

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: January 30, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - A student at Star Education Center was sexually assaulted by a classmate on Thursday, authorities say.

The victim told deputies that the suspect cornered her in the girl's bathroom on the Brooksville campus just before 1 p.m. Both of the bathrooms are locked and students have to ask for a key to use them.

However, the keys open both the boys' and girls' bathroom doors, according to an arrest affidavit.

The 17-year-old suspect, who is not being named because of his age, told deputies that he was walking toward the bathrooms when he noticed the victim headed in the same direction. Once she had locked herself inside the bathroom, the suspect used his key to enter and rape the girl, according to an affidavit.

The suspect is charged with sexual battery.

Asked if any changes in the bathroom keys were expected, Superintendent Wayne Alexander would only say, "We're still doing an investigation on it."

School district Coordinator of Safety and Security Barry Crowley said he had not received any requests from the school for changes in security.

Asked specifically about the keys, Crowley said the "story I heard had nothing to do with the keys." He wouldn't go into further detail.

Star's principal, John Shepherd, could not be reached for comment Friday.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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