Deaf Elderly Woman Beaten in Widener Home Invasion

[Miss-Delectable]

Deaf Elderly Woman Beaten in Widener Home Invasion | MyFox Memphis | Fox 13 News

A 75-year old deaf woman is struggling to survive after a brutal beating. Police say she was attacked at her home in Widener, Arkansas Tuesday evening. Now, the search is on for her attacker.

At The Med Trauma Unit, 75-year old Mary Parker is holding on to life.

Her sister Dot Halford said someone broke into her home Tuesday around 7:00pm and beat her severely.

"She is beaten up pretty bad," said Halford. "Her face just looks horrible, her eyes are almost shut."

Halford said her sister, who is also deaf, was sitting in her recliner in the living room when the attack happened.

"They came straight over there and started beating her. She can't hear, she was asking them, 'what do you want, why are you doing this?'"

Halford said the intruder took a TV and other personal items from the home, then stepped on her sister and dropped an entertainment unit on the elderly woman.

"The county and ambulance drivers both told me they didn't see how she survived it."

Halford said Parker survived the beating by playing dead, and then managed to drive herself to a neighbor's house for help.

"When she drove over there, she just sat down on the horn until he came out and she said, 'Wayne, I need help.'"

She was airlifted to The Med, but outside her Widener home crime scene tape marks where the brutal beating took place.

The St. Francis County Sheriff's office has not released any information on their investigation.

Meanwhile, Halford said the number one priority is her sister's safety.

"This is a bad world out there and I don't think its going to get any better."

If you have any information on this incident, you are urged to contact the St. Francis County Sheriff's Dept. at (870) 633-2611.

 

[Steinhauer]

I have absolutely no respect for people who do this to women period. No matter how old they are. No matter if disabled or not.

I seriously hope they catch those SOB's and let that woman's family loose on them in a soundproof room with lots of sharp objects.

Thank God we live in a system of laws .....

If she lived in Chicago before the gun ban was found unconstitutional - and had shot the home invaders, she would have been the one going to jail.

 

[Miss-Delectable]

Man Arrested for Beating, Raping Deaf Elderly Woman

Man Arrested for Beating Deaf Elderly Woman | MyFox Memphis | Fox 13 News

A suspect in the brutal beating and rape of a 75-year-old Arkansas woman has been captured. Investigators say it was a man who had close ties to the victim's neighbor. Now he's facing a laundry list of charges.

James William Howard was arrested Wednesday evening and charged with Aggravated Robbery, Home Invasion, Rape and Attempted Murder. Now police want to make sure he has time to think about what he's done behind bars.

"It was just a vicious act. People like this have no conscience," St. Francis County Sheriff Bobby May said.

May said this isn't Howard's first run in with the law.

"He's been in the penitentiary before. He's been out about 5 months now and he decided to go back on his crime spree. Hopefully, we'll put him back in for a long time."

Several items stolen from the victim were found next door at Howard's girlfriend's house. The stolen goods, along with spare change, lead to Howard's arrest.

"Some of the things he carried were change. He had a lot of change and he had dropped some of the change as he was taking items to the house. So, we tracked the change to the house," said May.

Harry Brown has lived down the road from the victim for more than 15 years. He said he can't imagine why anyone would harm his neighbor but he's glad her alleged attacker is behind bars.

"Anytime there's a rape of anyone, especially this old lady, it was uncalled for and I just really hope that justice will get him and take care of him and he'll never see light again," said Brown.

The victim is recovering at the MED, and according to her sister, is steadily improving. She is reported as being to see and recognize family members today.

As for James Howard, his bond is expected to be set Friday.

 

[Reba]

Attacking old ladies; that's disgusting.

 

[Bottesini]

It's really awful when criminals target defenseless old people.

 

[Bebonang]

Tsk! Tsk! That is terrible and shame for James Howard to do that to women no matter young and old. No man should never lay a hand on women. And yet, men did not read the Bible about the ten commandment or any other religious which should show respect to women. We are not alone. There are women abuses in many countries all over the world. That is what make me sooooo mad. Why in the world do men have to be sooo superior over women? Are they afraid of us or what? I am ranting again. It must be the hot weather. :roll:

 

[shel90]

I agree with other..attacking old and defensiveless people is just beyond cruel.