Prosecutors seek adult charge for West Toledo teen rape suspect

1/22/2010

Prosecutors plan to pursue adult charges against a teenager accused of the rape of a woman in broad daylight.

Anferney Fontenet, 15, of 1656 Shady Drive is charged with juvenile delinquency in connection with the Tuesday afternoon rape and robbery of a 26-year-old woman.

Lucas County Juvenile Prosecutor Lori Olender said yesterday she plans to file a motion today to certify the teenager to be tried as an adult.

"The nature of the crime immediately was part of the reason and also after reviewing the videotape statement of the defendant," she said.

Ms. Olender said speaking to the victim's family also played a part in the decision.

The nature of rape could have led the prosecutor's office to immediately pursue an adult sentence, but Ms. Olender said prosecutors wanted to review the case first because the Fontenet youth does not have a criminal record.

It will be up to the state to prove he cannot be rehabilitated in the juvenile system, Ms. Olender said.

The victim and her mother told The Blade they thought the suspect should be tried as an adult.

The Blade does not identify victims of sexual offenses.

The victim, who lives in a group home and has bipolar disorder and Asperger's syndrome, said if her assailant were old enough to commit an adult crime, he should be punished as an adult.

"He knows better and he did a heinous act," she told The Blade.

Toledo police said the Fontenet youth confessed when arrested Wednesday about 12 hours after the crime, which occurred about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday on Royalton Road at Lyman Avenue.

The victim said a man approached her and offered to pay her to perform a sex act. The man then grabbed her jacket and threatened her with a pair of scissors while he assaulted her.

She was treated at Toledo Hospital.

None of those who witnessed the sexual assault stopped as they drove past, but their 911 calls and descriptions helped lead to an arrest, police said.

Police would not release the 911 recording.

A hearing for the Fontenet youth is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Feb. 2 before Lucas County Juvenile Court Magistrate Susan Cairl.

Contact Meghan Gilbert-Cunningham

at: mgilbert@theblade.com

or 419-724-6134.