Teens held in rape of 89-year-old woman

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PORT RICHEY -- Two teens charged with beating and raping an 89-year-old woman and then trying to smother her with a pillow are being held without bail in the Pasco County Juvenile Detention Center.

Carlos Fernandez, 15, of 7151 Tudor Lane in Port Richey, and Luis Reyes Jr., 14, of 11230 Areca Drive in Port Richey, face charges of burglary to a residence, grand theft auto, attempted first-degree murder and sexual battery.

Pasco Sheriff Bob White has recommended they be charged as adults, though the final decision lies with prosecutors.

The Sheriff's Office says Fernandez, left, and Reyes, right, broke into the victim's home in the Palm Terrace Gardens neighborhood off U.S. 19 in the early hours Wednesday. The victim told deputies the attackers wore masks, beat her in her bed, raped her and ransacked her house.

They fled when she kicked one of them in the "vital parts," according to a neighbor. She went to a house nearby for help and was taken to a hospital.

Investigators say the teens were returning to the scene of an earlier crime. The week before the woman was raped, her house was broken into while she slept and the burglars stole a flashlight, some food and the woman's red Pontiac Sunfire, which was later recovered.

The Sheriff's Office says Reyes, Fernandez and a third boy, 16-year-old Sean Maus, are responsible for the April 2 burglary. Maus, of 11240 Snyder Ave. in Port Richey, is charged with grand theft auto and burglary. He is not accused of participating in Wednesday's attack.

All three teens live with two miles of the victim.

Molly Moorhead, Times staff writer

At least I know now what happens when adults get raped by minors, they don't have to register as a sex offender and they don't get charged either. The teens do.