A pregnant Chicago State University student who was kidnapped and sexually assaulted, told her teen attacker she was pregnant, showing him her stomach, but was still forced to take off her clothes, prosecutors allege.
The teen, identified in court as Aaron Parks, 17, from the 600 block of East 100th Street, was charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated criminal sexual assault with a weapon, and armed robbery. He was charged as an adult and was ordered held without bail.
A 24-year-old criminal justice student was parked on the 9800 block of South Indiana Avenue and was trying to load something into her trunk when a man approached with a knife and ordered her into her car, the woman's father, Robert Perkins, told NBC Chicago. The attacker drove to an alley and sexually assaulted her before forcing her into the trunk of her car.
"She was in the trunk and she said the first thing that popped in her head was [me telling her about the] trunk release," Perkins explained. "And she looked up and saw the trunk release and that's how she was able to get out.'
The victim, who is four months pregnant, was eventually able to pop the latch to the trunk and a neighbor spotted her trying to get out of the trunk. The neighbor then called authorities, who were still searching for the attacker on Thursday morning.
"The trunk popped open and the young lady was screaming 'Help me," said witness George Simpson.
Perkins said his daughter was able to provide a good description of the attacker.
On Sunday, prosecutors offered graphic details surrounding the attack.
Officials allege the victim told her attacker she was pregnant, showing him her stomach before the assault, but was still forced to take off her clothes. The offender also stole $160 from her pants and forced her in the trunk of her car, prosecutors said.
"What kind of woman raised an animal like this?" said rape victims advocate Dawn Valenti.
Officials said in court the teen was on an electronic monitoring system for an aggravated kidnapping two months ago. He was also awaiting sentencing for a charge of aggravated armed robbery.
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"She was tortured," said community activist Andrew Holmes. "In my view, electronic monitoring failed completely."
In a statement, a Chicago State University official said the administration was "saddened" by news of the attack and that their "collective hearts go out to the victim."
Thomas Wogan said the university has offered counseling and support services to the victim and her family and was working with campus and city police to help bring the attacker to justice.
