New Orleans, La. -
An 83-year-old woman is recovering after police say a man sexually assaulted her in her Marrero home during a robbery.
It happened on Avenue L Sunday night. Police say 51-year-old Kenneth Adams was trying to rob the house when the victim returned home and surprised him.
On Monday, the victim's grandson, who lives with her but wasn't home at the time of the alleged attack, walked us through what happened the previous night.
The man explained, "She walked in and he basically pushed her on the ground and he dragged her through this hallway to her bedroom. I think she hit her hand on this heater here, and it busted her hand open. He threw her on the bed and he ripped her clothes off and he raped her."
During the alleged sexual assault, the victim told Adams she'd called 911. She lied but that sent him running.
Only minutes later, Adams was arrested and deputies say he admitted to breaking into the home and touching the victim below her waist, although he denies raping her. According to deputies, he had jewelry and a crack pipe on him.
One day after the attack, the victim's blood still stains her walls and doorways. Her family is angered by what's happened and wants the suspect to be punished.
The woman's grandson said, "This is a sick world we live in and some people don't need to be here."
Adams wasn't a stranger to the victim or her grandson. In fact, just a few months ago, the victim's grandson gave Adams some furniture and he even gave him rides to work. Adams lives on the same street as the victim and her grandson. The grandson says he's kicking himself for being so friendly to a stranger.
Anger is something that a lot of people on Avenue L feel right now.
"People lost a lot of morals a long time ago, seems to me. People don't have the same morals that they used to have," Ronnie Leone said.
Maurice Schoenberger commented, "I don't think we should have any sympathy on people that does things like this, ya know."
Kenneth Adams has an extensive rap sheet, having served time for crimes such as battery of a police officer, possession of stolen property and theft.
The victim's grandson is doubtful that, if Adams is found guilty, he'll be punished severely enough. "He broke into somebody's house," the grandson said. "He dragged my senior citizen grandmother through the hallway, and he'll probably be out in a few years."
The victim's family says they'll fight for a stiff sentence.
The 83-year-old victim spent Sunday night in the hospital but is out now and staying with relatives. Besides the cut on her hand, she didn't sustain any other physical wounds.
Kenneth Adams (photo from OPSO)
