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14-year-old escapes home where she says she was held for weeks, beaten, strangled, raped
14-year-old escapes home where she says she was held for weeks, beaten, strangled, raped
PHOEBE TOLLEFSON ptollefson@billingsgazette.com Sep 5, 2017 Updated 16 hrs ago
A 43-year-old man beat, strangled, raped, and held a 14-year-old against her will at his Billings home for weeks, according to charges filed Tuesday.
Francisco Morales Jr., 43, appeared in Yellowstone County Justice Court on one felony count of sexual intercourse without consent.
Morales initially let the child stay with him at his Broadwater Avenue home when she ran away from her home in late June, she told investigators. She met Morales through a friend.
The child told investigators that initially Morales treated her well and bought her gifts, but soon began isolating her from her friends, family and boyfriend. Morales gave her meth and would not let her leave, she said, becoming physically, sexually and emotionally abusive.
The child, who was eventually able to run from the home only recently, told investigators she originally told Morales she was 17 years old. They began having sex almost daily, and when Morales learned her true age, he continued having sex with her, she said. The child was 13 when she began staying with Morales and turned 14 in July.
PHOEBE TOLLEFSON ptollefson@billingsgazette.com Sep 5, 2017 Updated 16 hrs ago
A 43-year-old man beat, strangled, raped, and held a 14-year-old against her will at his Billings home for weeks, according to charges filed Tuesday.
Francisco Morales Jr., 43, appeared in Yellowstone County Justice Court on one felony count of sexual intercourse without consent.
Morales initially let the child stay with him at his Broadwater Avenue home when she ran away from her home in late June, she told investigators. She met Morales through a friend.
The child told investigators that initially Morales treated her well and bought her gifts, but soon began isolating her from her friends, family and boyfriend. Morales gave her meth and would not let her leave, she said, becoming physically, sexually and emotionally abusive.
The child, who was eventually able to run from the home only recently, told investigators she originally told Morales she was 17 years old. They began having sex almost daily, and when Morales learned her true age, he continued having sex with her, she said. The child was 13 when she began staying with Morales and turned 14 in July.