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Police looking into teens' claims of rape, assault

By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Published December 30, 2006

TAMPA - Police are investigating a report by a teenage girl who said she was raped in a bathroom at WestShore Plaza shopping mall, said police spokeswoman Laura McElroy.

On Thursday, a 14-year-old girl filed for a court protective order because of sexual violence against a 16-year-old she said attacked her at the mall two days before Christmas, court records show. A second teenager also asked for an injunction against the same youth, alleging a sexual assault in November.

No charges have been filed against the youth. McElroy said there are inconsistencies in the girls' statements, and police are still looking into the claims.

"We're in the early stages of an ongoing investigation," she said.

The girl said the rape happened Dec. 23, when the teen followed her into a bathroom at the mall, threw her onto the floor and forced her to have sex, court records show.

"He bit her, raped her and said if she told he would kill her," reads a statement in court records. "He has gang friends who will kill her. She is very scared and afraid he will do this. He has driven by the home where she lives."

The girl's name is being withheld because of the nature of the allegations. The name of the youth is being withheld because he is a minor and no criminal charges have been filed.

A hearing for the protective order has been scheduled for Jan. 9.

A second request for protection from the 16-year-old also was filed Thursday. The second teenage girl accused the boy of forcing her to perform oral sex on him in November in a pickup truck, records show.

Abbie VanSickle can be reached at 813 226-3373 or vansickle@sptimes.com.

[Last modified December 30, 2006, 01:16:25]