Home News 

Story

Man Allegedly Raped Elderly Woman In Assisted Living Facility

Posted: 6:16 am EDT September 19, 2006Updated: 12:46 pm EDT September 19, 2006

A maintenance worker at an Orange County retirement community was in jail, Tuesday, after he allegedly confessed to raping an 85-year-old woman. Police said there may be even more victims.

A police report indicated that suspect Edwin Cabeza admitted to three sexual encounters with an Alzheimer’s patient at the Lutheran Towers in downtown Orlando, but they have not said if those incidents will lead to more charges.

Fifty-three-year-old Edwin Cabeza was behind bars, Tuesday, with no bond after detectives said he admitted to raping an 85-year-old Alzheimer’s and dementia patient inside her own room.

“I am totally shocked that something like this would happen in a place such as Orlando Lutheran Towers,” said John Geisler, a resident at the building.

Residents learned of the alleged crime Tuesday after news reports confirmed something they suspected on Saturday, that a crime occurred inside the retirement tower in downtown Orlando.

“Oh, there were police all over and they locked down the front door and the second floor,” said Joan Summer who lives in the towers.

Detectives believe Cabeza was called into the woman’s room where he then locked the door and had intercourse with her. She recalled parts of the incident and a rape kit test indicated a crime had occurred.

Cabeza is a housekeeper for the facility, but apparently had no business inside the assisted living areas of Orlando Lutheran Towers.

Cabeza has been charged with lewd and lascivious battery on an elderly adult. Detectives are investigating whether Cabeza had contact with any other residents at the facility.

More Headlines

Make WFTV Your Power On

Did you ever turn your television off at night and notice the next morning that your set comes on to a different channel? You can set your cable box so that your TV comes on to the station you want. It's easy! Full Story ››
Step-By-Step Text Instructions


Click Picks
Video Clips
AP Photo/Peter Kramer
Heidi Klum and her post-baby body led the parade at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, which returned to New York with some fresh faces after four years on the road. View Images ››


Strange News Photos

From brilliant to bizarre, our 99-photo slideshow captures a variety of strange news. Photos are added often. Take A Look!

County-By-County News

Get Hyper-Local On WFTV.com

Visit our County-By-County section for the latest news headlines out of your county. » County-By-County

When you take videos or photos of Central Florida news or weather events, iWitness is your place to upload them. » iWitness

Visit your headquarters for county-by-county news and resources, and a place to share community videos and photos. » 9Central