Bianca Marchesi A dramatic episode has shaken the community of Palagonia, in the province of Catania, where a 44-year-old woman of Romanian origin was kidnapped and sexually assaulted. The incident began when the woman responded to a seemingly innocuous online ad promising work as a caregiver for the elderly.
The meeting with the man who posted the ad turned out to be a nightmare, turning a job search into a terrifying experience of abuse.
The job ad trap
The victim, a separated mother of a 12-year-old boy, decided to go to the 60-year-old's home, hoping to arrange the details of the job.
From the beginning, however, he noticed disturbing signs, such as the absence of the elderly person he needed to care for and numerous beer cans scattered around the house. The man, known to law enforcement for his criminal record, soon revealed that the ad was merely a pretext to attract women.
The kidnapping and the violence
As soon as the woman realized the danger, she attempted to escape, but the door had already been locked. The man forcibly took her cell phone, isolating her completely. From that moment on, the woman was subjected to repeated sexual assaults and physical abuse for an entire month. During this time, the man beat her and forced her to drink alcohol against her will, attempting to break her will and make it more difficult for her to escape.
The unexpected salvation
The woman's release came unexpectedly when the 60-year-old forgot his cell phone at home during one of his short outings to buy cigarettes and food. Taking advantage of this moment, the victim managed to send a message to a friend, asking for help and urging her to contact the Carabinieri. The friend promptly alerted the police, who rushed to the scene.
Rescue and arrest
When the Carabinieri arrived, the man attempted to justify himself, claiming he lived with his partner. However, when the woman saw the officers, she lunged at them, begging for help and calling her tormentor a "monster ." The Carabinieri, after hearing her story, immediately arrested the 60-year-old, who was taken to Caltagirone prison. The victim was taken to the hospital, where doctors confirmed the physical and psychological injuries he had suffered, corroborating his statements about the horrendous ordeal he had endured.
Community reaction and investigations
This incident sparked a wave of outrage among the residents of Palagonia, concerned for the safety of women in their community. Law enforcement officials launched a thorough investigation to gather further evidence and testimonies, while the judicial authorities confirmed the 60-year-old's arrest, maintaining his pre-trial detention. The story of the Romanian woman, a symbol of the fight against violence, could serve as a warning to raise public awareness about the safety and protection of victims of abuse.