A 22-year-old man has been booked on charges of first-degree rape, second-degree battery, and cruelty to the infirm after allegedly brutally raping a 94-year-old woman who was sitting in a rocking chair on her front porch in broad daylight.
According to police, the suspect, Jeremiah Taylor, had a history of violent crimes and sexual assault allegations, including one against his own foster mother. Officers responded to a report of a sexual assault on March 5 and identified Taylor within minutes of releasing images to the public the next day.
Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse described the crime as “horrendous, unacceptable” when discussing how vulnerable members of the elderly population were targeted in such a manner. He also expressed frustration that Taylor had been released from jail in January after a recent arrest was dismissed by a district attorney.
The victim suffered broken bones during the assault, police stated. Taylor has prior arrests for simple burglary, first-degree rape, theft, and second-degree battery. He was charged with raping another victim three times, one of which occurred the day after he was released from jail in January.
A woman who claims to have been Taylor’s foster mother during the COVID pandemic told authorities that he sexually assaulted her while she slept. She said she pressed charges but believes nothing happened because he was underage at the time.
Taylor is currently being held at East Baton Rouge Parish Prison without bond.
