Fugitive caught in child rape, abortion

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 22, 2008

LAKELAND - A 21-year-old Fort Pierce man is accused of nearly killing a child after impregnating her and then forcing a home abortion on her.

Papouche Edmond was arrested Wednesday in Polk County on charges of lewd battery on child under 12, aggravated child abuse, impregnating a minor, aggravated battery and tampering with evidence.

Port St. Lucie police and St. Lucie sheriff's detectives had been tracking Edmond for months. Crime Stoppers received a tip from South Florida that Edmond was hiding at an address in Lakeland.

The U.S. Marshals Tampa Bay Area Fugitive Task Force went to the home and arrested Edmond on the outstanding warrants.

U.S. marshals spokesman Marc Howard said Edmond's victim, whose age was not available, almost died as a result of the injuries she sustained when he terminated her pregnancy in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Edmond was being held in Polk County without bail and awaits transfer to St. Lucie County.

[Last modified February 22, 2008, 00:21:20]