A 78-year-old woman in Louisville, Kentucky, was sexually assaulted on her front porch by a 13-year-old boy, who has since been arrested. The disturbing encounter happened when Jan Fletcher was sitting outside her home on August 26.
She was approached by the teenager, who asked for directions to a park. At first, Fletcher thought nothing of it until he questioned whether she was alone. Her interaction with the teen was captured on her security camera, showing him stepping behind her, pretending to brush something off her buttocks. Shortly after, he starts to grope her butt.
Startled but composed, Fletcher immediately demanded that he leave. Fletcher, speaking with WLKY, recalled she told him. “You better get out of here, and you better go now.” She added that the boy left without further issue.
Police later confirmed that the boy, whose identity is being withheld due to his age, was arrested and charged with third-degree sexual abuse. Detectives with the 7th Division tracked him down, noting he does not live in Fletcher’s neighbourhood..
The Louisville Metro Police Department released a statement praising the quick response of officers and stressing their concern for the victim. The department expressed that it hopes the arrests can put the victim’s mind at ease and relieve some of the fear and embarrassment she endured.
Fletcher has made it clear that she wants to know why the teenager acted as he did. Along with a reason, she wants an apology. “I really hate that these young people are out here doing stuff. I hate it, but it’s sad. What reason do they get? What enjoyment do they get out of doing stuff? I don’t understand it,” she said.
Despite the unsettling experience, Fletcher is determined not to let fear change her life. She shared that she has been living in the neighbourhood for 55 years, and, during that period, she has never experienced any issues. She indicated that she would continue to live her life and sit on her porch as she pleases rather than allowing the incident to make her fearful of being outside.
