State assumes custody of baby who was raped

The Department of Children and Families also takes custody of two siblings. The baby is in fair condition.

By TAMARA LUSH

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 25, 2001

TAMPA -- State authorities have assumed custody of a 9-month-old baby girl who was raped, strangled and left for dead. They also have taken custody of the baby's two siblings.

The baby, who was found in the woods in northwest Hillsborough County early Saturday morning, is in fair condition at Tampa General Hospital, said a hospital spokeswoman Monday night.

"It's just a miracle she's alive," said Shawnna Lee, spokeswoman for the Department of Children and Families on Monday. "She's not physically in our care, but we can legally take her into our care."

Hillsborough County sheriff's detectives arrested a family friend, Randolph Standifer, in connection with the attack. Standifer told detectives that after a night of drinking with the baby's family, he took the diaper-clad girl out of her crib at 6 a.m. on Saturday.

According to sheriff's deputies, he drove the baby to the woods near her house, raped her, tried to strangle her and left her in the brush. Family members realized she was gone about 9 a.m., and called authorities.

Eventually, they talked to Standifer, who told a story that shocked even the veteran detectives on the case.

Standifer led deputies to the spot where he discarded the girl. By the time she was found, she had been outside for 10 hours.

Standifer, 20, of 4255 W Humphrey St., Tampa, was charged with kidnapping, capital sexual battery and attempted first-degree murder. He is being held without bail at the Hillsborough County Jail.

The baby's brother and sister, who are both younger than 5, are also in the legal custody of the state. Lee said she "assumed" that the children were not placed with a relative.

A judge decided late Sunday night to give custody of the children to the state because "there were reasons to believe that (the home) was an unsafe home to return to," Lee said.

In February, the department had investigated a previous report about the family and instructed the parents to get counseling. The children were not removed from the home and the family no longer was under supervision, she said.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright