Local

Longwood man accused of beating woman, 94, setting her home on fire

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A 94-year-old woman is in the hospital with serious injuries after deputies said her caretaker beat her and set her home on fire.

Roman Dusk, 65, was arrested Thursday in Longwood after deputies said he returned to the house on Slade Drive several hours after the attack.

According to the sheriff’s office, Duck beat his friend Dorothy Spears and then set fire to a plant in her room.

Deputies said he then put out the fire, which had spread to the walls, and left the home.

Deputies said he threw her to the ground before he repeatedly stomped on her chest and left her to die. They said she spent hours crawling on the floor toward her phone to call 911.

“It has rocked us to the core,” said neighbor Teena Donovan, who said she has known Spears for 20 years.

Donovan said Duck and Spears are lifelong friends and that he has been caring for her for years. She said they argued from time to time, but never suspected something like this would happen.

“He and she have had a relationship since he was a very small child,” Donovan said. “What we don’t understand is why someone who is such a caregiver would turn to such violence.”

Deputies said Dusk and Spears had an argument over her will earlier in the day Thursday.

Dusk was under the impression that Spears was going to leave her home to somebody else, but Spears tried to assure him that wasn’t the case.

“He would call 911 to get help, but never did, and then she basically crawled across the floor. It takes her two hours to call herself and fortunately she is still with us,” said Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma.

Spears told detectives that during the incident, Dusk threatened to burn the house with her in it and told her, “You are 94-years-old, people shouldn’t live that long.”

The 94-year-old was taken to the hospital with severe bruising, possible broken bones and a head injury.

"I am extremely shocked and saddened by this brutal act of violence committed against one of our innocent and vulnerable seniors," said Lemma. "We are committed to doing everything possible to ensure justice is served."

Dusk faces attempted murder, arson, aggravated battery, kidnapping and several other charges.

He is being held without bond.