Police: 'Violent sexual predator' arrested in Tacoma daycare attack
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TACOMA, Wash. -- A man suspected in a violent attack at a Tacoma daycare center has been arrested, Tacoma police said Tuesday, and investigators think he may be responsible for other attacks.
Tacoma police spokeswoman Loretta Cool said the man was taken into custody at his home without incident by police and SWAT teams Monday night.
"We believe that this man is a violent sexual predator," Cool said.
The victim was opening the Tender Heart Learning Center about 6:40 a.m. Monday when a man who was waiting outside asked to enroll a child.
The woman felt nervous and texted her mother and husband saying that her instincts told her the man was "creepy." When the woman let the man inside, he attacked her, Cool said.
The mother arrived to find her daughter propped up against a wall inside the daycare and a man inside standing over her with his arms above his head as if he were smashing her with something, investigators said. The man ran off when he saw the mother.
The victim was badly beaten and sexually assaulted, suffering a concussion and possible a broken jaw, police said. She was rushed to a hospital where she is recovering.
Cool said evidence at the scene and detailed descriptions of the suspect by witnesses helped lead detectives to their man.
"This was a very vicious attack on someone," Cool said. "This should never happen in any city and we took it as seriously as the attack was and we went after him."
The suspect, identified by prosecutors as 18-year-old Andrake D. Morris, was booked into jail Monday night for investigation of first-degree rape, robbery and burglary. Bail was set at $1 million.
"As the investigation unfolded yesterday we learned that there were several other cases that he might be involved," Cool said. "And were trying to piece all those other cases together and charge him at one time."
Court documents show Morris is now suspected of sexually assaulting a woman and stealing a laptop from her Tacoma apartment last August, and also of robbing a mother at gunpoint outside a DVD rental box as her 2- and 4-year-old children were present. Prosecutors say both the laptop and the mother's wallet were recovered during Morris' arrest Monday. In addition, the mother picked Morris out of a lineup, prosecutors said.
Investigators also recovered the daycare victim's stolen wedding ring and iPhone at Morris' home, prosecutors said.
Tacoma police will be working with other local police departments to see if their suspect could be responsible for unsolved cases in their area.
"We don't know the extent of all the other cases he's responsible for," Cool said. "We do know that at this point in time, he's responsible for the one that we've booked him on."
Tacoma police spokeswoman Loretta Cool said the man was taken into custody at his home without incident by police and SWAT teams Monday night.
"We believe that this man is a violent sexual predator," Cool said.
The victim was opening the Tender Heart Learning Center about 6:40 a.m. Monday when a man who was waiting outside asked to enroll a child.
The woman felt nervous and texted her mother and husband saying that her instincts told her the man was "creepy." When the woman let the man inside, he attacked her, Cool said.
The mother arrived to find her daughter propped up against a wall inside the daycare and a man inside standing over her with his arms above his head as if he were smashing her with something, investigators said. The man ran off when he saw the mother.
The victim was badly beaten and sexually assaulted, suffering a concussion and possible a broken jaw, police said. She was rushed to a hospital where she is recovering.
Cool said evidence at the scene and detailed descriptions of the suspect by witnesses helped lead detectives to their man.
"This was a very vicious attack on someone," Cool said. "This should never happen in any city and we took it as seriously as the attack was and we went after him."
The suspect, identified by prosecutors as 18-year-old Andrake D. Morris, was booked into jail Monday night for investigation of first-degree rape, robbery and burglary. Bail was set at $1 million.
"As the investigation unfolded yesterday we learned that there were several other cases that he might be involved," Cool said. "And were trying to piece all those other cases together and charge him at one time."
Court documents show Morris is now suspected of sexually assaulting a woman and stealing a laptop from her Tacoma apartment last August, and also of robbing a mother at gunpoint outside a DVD rental box as her 2- and 4-year-old children were present. Prosecutors say both the laptop and the mother's wallet were recovered during Morris' arrest Monday. In addition, the mother picked Morris out of a lineup, prosecutors said.
Investigators also recovered the daycare victim's stolen wedding ring and iPhone at Morris' home, prosecutors said.
Tacoma police will be working with other local police departments to see if their suspect could be responsible for unsolved cases in their area.
"We don't know the extent of all the other cases he's responsible for," Cool said. "We do know that at this point in time, he's responsible for the one that we've booked him on."
my heart goers out to that brave young lady , I too am a surviver of a voilent act, itoo went public , no face coverd. i had nothing to be assamed of.   the men were procecuted and convicted in  milityary court, and sent to fort leven worth prison for 15 and 2o years.. i was beaten i did not speak for weeks , my husband left me  i was given justice and my very being restored She is what courage is all about bless her and her mother they are in my prayers as for that pig ... i say  hang him and hang him high !!!!!  give her justice !!!!,
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRH! This so much brings me where I don't want to be and that is wanting to have public flogging and torture re-instituted!Â
Shocker komo does not post a pic or race of the rapist. If you want to see a pic of the black male rapist check out KIROTV.COM
@Seattle Interesting....he was white on the newscast last night.
@JT1958 @Seattle... Have no idea what news you were watching. Andrake Morris has several run ins with the law.
It is time for this punk to get a taste of what he dishes out.One real good beating then hung.
Over on King 5, they show him being led into court. They were asked not to show his face because of an ongoing investigation. Police are investigating linking him to other assaults and crimes. He has already linked to two other crimes here is a quote from King 5:
 "Morris is also tied to two earlier crimes. In one, he broke into a house and committed a lewd act on a person inside while she slept. In another, he robbed a mother and her two children at gunpoint. That mother also pointed Morris out."
And this guy was out on the street why?
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@Magicalwoman He is on the street because he has more rights then the victims.
How many guesses on how long this scums rap sheet is. How many times has he been in front of a Judge or Commissioner in Tacoma only to have his hands slapped. How long did he spent in the joke of a juvenile justice system in WA state? Bet he is mentally ill, or at least he will claim he is...maybe he is and is unable to get healthcare that really addresses his needs. Or maybe he sits on the edge, mentally ill enough to be a threat, well and rational enough to be on his own, produce children and blend in with society.
My heart and prayers are with this young girl, no one should have to endure this trauma.
Shame, Shame, Shame, Shame on the owners and/or managers of this daycare to have a young woman open up this daycare alone at this hour of the morning.
Just another story about the liberal's miss guided attempts to "fix" an animal that cannot be repaired. Time for a permeate fix to this problem!!!
these kind of scumbags dont deserve to breath...but that would be inhumane...hell be out in 5 to 20 at 28yo at the oldest hes still young enough to rape, rob, assualt for many years...
Its rather intewresting how our society seems to forget the victims in these crimes. They focus on the criminals. We hear how the criminal is really a very nice person, and that they dont deserve to be put in jail. It is sick. What about the victims that paid the price, what about them?   Funny how the "Liberals" forget about them unless it fills thier agenda......
Just throw this savage in cage and let him starve to death.
Oh, no no no! First tie him up, lay him out, and let a few gals stomp around on his groin area for a while--until it no longer works!
How about no bail for violant assults such as this.
We need a tent city here in Pudget Sound, let the guy sit in pink pajamas until his trial.
Oh I'm sorry, did I just offend some bleeding heart liberal again?
WTF do you know about liberals? Personally I'd enjoy stomping his cajones until he can never get it up again!
@ladylib1Â Other than the fact that they occupy their time with Politically correct things like Not offending Muslims or Gay rights--It would seem that common sense has taken a backseat to even sex offenders have rights---Common sense would ask why this man "a convicted sex offender " is loose at all?
Reading most of the comments here, one has to wonder if the commenters completely missed the whole Enlightenment. The attacker is obviously reprehensible, but the Hobbesian mentality displayed here is almost worse.
@strangel00p People like you are the reason he will be out to victimize someone else in a few years. Â
@strangel00p So please, enlighten us? What do you suggest be done with him? Do you think this behavior should be rewarded with a warm room and 3 squares and should we enable him to harm someone else? Do you honestly believe that anyone capable of such behavior can or will ever see the error of their ways?  I believe in accepting the fact that there truly is evil in this world and all the loving thoughts in the world will not remove it.Â
@Susabelle @strangel00p Â
To begin with, we should ascertain his guilt or innocence. Many false arrests have been made in the past. That's step one.
@Whobeke @Susabelle @strangel00p Okay, I'll give you that. So its circumstantial that her wedding ring and cell phone was found at his home, I'll give you that. But since there is a positive ID on him...well it gets a bit closer and then there is the DNA, which should be back soon.Â
Now what, at what point do we as a civilized society allow this to continue? This is not okay, while I'm really not one to burn him at the stake, I'm pretty sick of the light and easy sentences for too many offenders receive only to be released so they can continue their reign of terror against honest citizens.Â
Why is this guy still allowed to stay alive? While every normal human being is getting their work day started, this scum loser is attacking a helpless childcare worker. Why not let family of victims revenge killers/rapists? This will make the healing process much quicker for victims family.
@commentator Because we live in an enlightened society which favors due process over the mob and barbarism. This guy will get his punishment. Common sense must win out over emotions and knee jerk reactions.
Do you really think this state will fully prosecute this guy?? We live in "Liberal" land where criminals are coddled and rehabilitated. All with the Feel-good mentality. And ask yourself, why isnt there a picture of this guy??? Political correctness.Â
@Busyhands Yes - Lindquist will take care of him as only he knows how to.
unusual name and no photo. hmmm...
Ah - he's in Mark Lindquist territory now.
Show King County how it's done, Mark!!!
Another loser with another stupid name, what do you people do just pull letters out of bag. Guessing it grew up without a father. Hope when it gets to prison someone treats him the same way it attacked its last victim.
All the more reason for us to arm ourselves with bear spray and keep it in hand when we are alone and vulnerable.Â
@jennieb "Bear Spray" = .357, 10mm, .40 cal,. .44....maybe even .45Â
@bagsofdirt @jennieb But the great thing about bear spray is you can torment your attacker for hours. Especially if he has his pants down.
@Ankle Biter ooooo, ouch!
How horrible! I'm pretty sure if the other employee had not arrived, she would be dead as was his intent. I hope for her to find strength to get past this and live a life full of good things; to not let this define her.Â
He is a monster and will continue to do these things as long as he lives. You can not rehab this vileness.
If there are previous attacks proven by DNA evidence that get him to three strikes lock him up and throw away the key. Â He is a menace to society and doesn't deserve anymore chances.Â
Mug shot please.
What is going on with our youth now? Well, I guess he technically isn't a kid but "young adults" and kids. Who are these people???? What is teaching them this behaviour? What is driving these people to act out in such violent and dangerous manners without even thinking about it? Is there something in the water? Something in the hamburger at McDonalds? I want to feel better that he's been caught but I don't because I know he will be out shortly and off to do what he does. Just slinkier so he doesn't get caught.
@cm257n7Â something in the hamburger at McDonalds? what's with the McDonald's slam? it is honest work and under-rated. not everyone is as privledged as you to have a job other than fast food.Â
@jennieb How was that a slam against McDonald's? I said something in the water too. Should I wait for the Aquafina people or the Dasani people to complain too? AND I didn't say ANYTHING about working at McD's. Sorry you're so defensive about your job.Â
He's 18. Â And yet people keep asking why teachers can't teach? Â That's what's sitting in their classroom.
I highly doubt he's seen school recently...
Just 18 and tagged as a violent sex offender. How sad is that.......where did his family life go so ascew to mess him up so badly.
He'll basically get a hand slap from some bleeding heart judge and be back out on the streets in no time at all - to reoffend and possibly kill next time. Our society needs to come down like a sledge hammer on this type of offender to be sure they never, ever get out of prison.
"Bleeding heart judge"? When's the last time you were in a court room other than traffic court? Judges run based on being FAIR and IMPARTIAL, and some as being "tough on crime." If you are looking for someone to blame, blame the politicians who keep cutting budgets so the prisoners have to get out on early release.
I read somewhere that a civilization is as tolerant and/or humane as it can afford to be. At which point do we decide what we can and cannot afford? There are those that believe in working with these people at great cost to society as a whole, others would prefer an older form of justice and just hang them. I really believe that we need to look at the cost of allowing such criminals to repeat their crimes, not just in dollars and cents, but in terms of how it degrades society to tolerate it.Â
The prosecutor, jury and judge need to handle this case with the full knowledge and understanding of what will happen when he  is ultimately released from prison and impose the maximum sentence allowed by current law.  No plea bargain is acceptable.  I hope there is also consideration that he is criminally insane and can be detained in a mental institution indefinitely or until he dies, whichever comes first. Â
Wishful thinking here, but I say kill the worthless piece of maggot crap!
I'm so glad this thug was caught.
Based on the description he sounded like the same guy who nearly beat a man to death in Spanaway for cutting him off.
Why can't we keep rapists and pedophiles locked up forever? Or stick them on Death Row? It is morally wrong to let repeat offenders out so they can keep harming women and kids. When is enough enough?
Because the laws dictate sentencing requirements. Only murder carries a life sentence.
It is enough when it is the judge's daugher that is attacked.