Teens Charged In Sex Attack On 89-Year-Old Woman

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- Deputies have arrested two boys in the home invasion, beating and sexual assault of an 89-year-old woman Wednesday.

Carlos Fernandez, 15, and Luis Reyes Jr, 14, both of Port Richey, were taken into custody Thursday night. They face felony charges of residential burglary, grand theft auto, attempted first degree murder and sexual battery.

The attempted murder charges stem from the teens' attempt to smother the woman with a pillow, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies say the two are also charged in two business burglaries at Georgia's Smokeshop and Jasmine Discount Beverage, also in Port Richey.

A third suspect, Sean Michael Maus, 16, of Port Richey was arrested Wednesday night on charges he burglarized the woman's home April 2nd, and stole her car, which was later recovered.

Deputies said the arrest of Maus led investigators to the other two. All of the boys are high school dropouts, deputies said.

The victim, who was not identified, was treated for her injuries at a local hospital and has been released.

"This could have been your mother or your grandmother," Sheriff Bob White told a rare night news conference.

"It's sad," he said. "Three young men (are) under arrest for some serious crimes. But tonight, the purpose of meeting here is to let our community know they're safe in their beds tonight."

The sheriff said he believes the attack was a crime of opportunity because the victim was elderly and the suspects lived in the same neighborhood.

White said all three confessed to the attack and to previous property crimes. He said they are being charged as adults.

"I'm not really sure it's sunk in what they've done, to be honest with you," the sheriff said. "I think they still think they're going home to Mama."