COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Roseland man who previously served time for murder is responsible for the sexual assault that will likely leave a 94-year-old woman hospitalized for the rest of her life, prosecutors said.
Robert Mitchell, 60, of the 0-100 block of W. 111th Place, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault in the February incident.
On February 4, Mitchell appeared at the home of the woman looking for her son, prosecutors said. The woman informed Mitchell of her son's death in December and invited him into her home after recognizing him as an acquaintance of her son, according to the Assistant State's Attorney Allison Sise.
Mitchell then picked up the 94-year-old woman and brought her into a bedroom to assault her, Sise said. When the woman fought back Mitchell punched her in the face forcing her to lose consciousness; the woman regained consciousness as Mitchell was putting his pants on, according to Sise.
The woman told a friend of the assault and contacted police, according to police documents. She was taken to Metro South Hospital with bruises to her left eye and other injuries pertaining to the assault, Sise said. The woman was released, but her condition has since worsened. She is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Rush Hospital, where she will likely remain for the rest of her life, according to Sise.
Mitchell was identified by the woman in a photo array, according to police documents.
Mitchell previously served 22 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for murder in a home invasion in 1984. He was also charged with a misdemeanor battery in a separate incident, said Sise.
Cook County Judge Peggy Chiampas held Mitchell without bail Sunday. He is expected in court again Monday.
