Attempted rapist thwarted by baby's screams arrested, deputies say

Suspect being held without bond

Shannon Lee Valrie (left) and the sketch artist's depiction (right) after police said he tried to rape a woman.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A man who deputies say attempted to rape a woman last month, but then stopped when he heard her baby screaming, has been arrested, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies announced Friday evening that Shannon Lee Valerie, 29, was arrested on May 5 in connection with the crime.

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The victim said she was walking back to her unit at Grande Pointe apartment complex around 6:45 a.m. April 7 when a man forced his way into her apartment and locked the door, the incident report said. 

Valerie attempted to rape the woman and threatened her with a knife, but then ran away when he heard the baby screaming and crying, deputies said.

A suspect sketch was released showing a man with a swollen eye.

Valerie is charged with attempted sexual battery, armed burglary of an occupied dwelling and kidnapping. He's being held without bond at the Orange County Jail.


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