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'She Woke Up Thinking It Was A Bad Dream' | Man Wanted In Sexual Assault Of 79-Year-Old Woman In Canton

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The search is on for the man police said sexually assaulted a 79-year-old woman in Canton.

The attack happened Monday morning, but the victim is still hospitalized.

The suspect is wanted for burglary and rape, with posters tacked on to a telephone pole in the Canton neighborhood- warning neighbors of the attack.

"We're not sure what he said or how he got her into the house," said Baltimore Detective Donny Moses.

Detective Moses said police believe the man preyed on the 79-year-old woman who was walking along Elliott Street near Clinton Street Monday morning when he asked her for help fixing a table, luring the woman into a home.

sex assault suspect
Credit: Baltimore Police

"This seems to be a woman of sound mind and a good heart, and it turned out bad for her," Detective Moses said.

The victim was physically and sexually assaulted. She's suffering from a broken leg and other injuries. The victim's son said that his mother was terrified she may lose her life.

"She woke up thinking that was a bad dream and saw a guy coming down with a mask and a large kitchen knife," he said. "She thought she was going to die in the basement."

Family friends said the victim masterminded her own escape, convincing the attacker to put down the knife and let her go. She then asked that the attacker call her an Uber to the hospital.

Medical staff alerted police just after 9 a.m. Monday morning-- sparking a manhunt and startling a normally quiet block.

Neighbors added the suspect chose a house that was empty at the time while the owners were away.

"We think he cased the area because it seemed like he knew where everything was," a neighbor said.

Her son said his mother endured a nightmare.

"She said to me that I felt sorry for the guy," the victim's son said. "She also said that this is probably why she's my hero- I'm glad it was me and not some girl because it would've ruined the rest of her life."

Police think this man is in his 30s, if anyone has information or knows him, call police.

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