A 17-year-old Martinez teen has recanted her claim of being raped over the weekend inside a bathroom at Lakeside Park in Evans, authorities said.
The teen’s confession comes as authorities reviewed surveillance video from the public park, located at 2040 Panther Crossing in Evans. It shows the teen and the 15-year-old male walk in the bathroom together on Saturday afternoon, sheriff’s Maj. Steve Morris said.
The situation was later reported to the sheriff’s office since an elderly woman was in the bathroom and heard the female crying. The 70-year-old witness noticed that there were two sets of feet and told them to come out and leave the bathroom.
The male came out of the stall and told the witness that he was helping the female because she was on her period. Paramedics and the sheriff’s office were notified and arrived. EMS transported the female to Doctors Hospital for further treatment and a criminal investigator interviewed the female.
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The 17 year old initially told investigators that her mother dropped her off at Lakeside Park, where she planned to meet an unidentified Hispanic male who was a friend of a friend. She gave his first name only and that he was born in Honduras.
“(She) stated the male dragged her into the women’s bathroom and forced her to have sex,” a report says.
After the video showed her going into the bathroom without force, the female confessed to making up the rape story and saying she was crying because the sex act was painful.
“We were later told by the alleged victim that it was consensual and the (male) was 15 years old,” Maj. Morris said. “She declined to come in for an additional interview. And she signed a waiver, saying it was consensual.”
The teen stopped cooperating with investigators, declining to come in Monday for a second interview or provide more information on the juvenile male or a last name, Maj. Morris said.
Adding to the confusion was a Facebook post from a Lakeside High School official, who heard about the rape allegation and warned other people on a social media page. She repeated the sexual assault allegation and warned parents.
“Tell your kids to be vigilant,” the post said.
