Mother of rape victim grateful for 911 callers

The mother of a 26-year-old old woman who was raped on a West Toledo sidewalk in broad daylight said she and her husband are grateful for the witness who called 911 and those who provided information that helped police make a quick arrest in the case.

"My family and I have no anger for any of those passers-by who did not stop or did not tell law enforcement officials," she said. "Who could believe their eyes that such a brazen crime was taking place on the street? I don't know what I would have done. I don't think anyone does until you get into a situation like that."

Anferney Fontenet, 15, of 1656 Shady Drive, has been charged with delinquency in connection with rape and robbery in the Jan. 19 attack.

The case has garnered national attention because of what appeared to be a lack of concern by those who saw what was happening but failed to stop.

"It's not the movies," the victim's mother said, adding that she did not expect passers-by to turn into Dirty Harry, jump out of their cars, and stop the attack.

"I'm not angry at the people who didn't call police. I'm angry at the person who did this," she said. "I want people to stop feeling bad."

The Blade does not identify victims of sexual crimes.