Multiple sexual assaults alarm Leon County

A disturbing trend has surfaced recently as our county has been rocked by an unprecedented number of sexual assaults. Perpetrators in at least two recent attacks remain at large as of press time. - On June 24th, Buffalo Police responded to a call by a woman who reported that two of her children had told her of a sexual assault, with the suspect being a white male. The incident is under investigation. - The Sheriff’s officetook a report of another sexual assault in Buffalo on July 18th. - A 55-year-old Normangee woman was attacked while working in her yard on Saturday evening July 19. The attacker pulled the woman into her home and raped her. - A man broke into a Marquez home in the pre-dawn hours of Monday, July 21, sexually assaulted a 77-yearold

woman, and robbed the home. The suspect is described as “a 20-25 year old white male with short hair and injuries to his face.”

In the Normangee and Marquez incidents, neither victim knew her attacker. Investigators do not, however, believe those attacks to be related. No arrests have made. Any persons with information on the attacks are encouraged to call the Leon County Sheriff’s Office at 903-536-2749. Texas Rangers are also participating in the investigation.

These attacks have certainly put nerves on edge in our rural communities. Internet blogs posted by female residents reflect concern and frustration that authorities did not release information to the public so that women could be put on the alert.

The number of sexual assault incidents reported this summer is unusually high. One law enforcement officer suggested one possible explanation that, with school out, area children are visiting grandparents and in that setting feel secure enough to report something which has been happening.

Tanya Foster, director of the Leon County Domestic Violence Victims Advocate program, confirmed that incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault -- especially those including assault of children -- have been on the rise. Foster offered a safety tip that many people are unaware of: In an emergency situation you can dial 9-1- 1 from any charged phone. Even a cell phone without a service contract, or a house phone with a lapsed service will STILL dial 9-1-1.