Man sentenced for kidnapping and raping 11-year-old girl in North Philadelphia.
Horace Battle, a 47-year-old resident of North Philadelphia, has been sentenced to a substantial prison term following his recent conviction for heinous crimes involving two 11-year-old sisters. In February, Battle enticed the girls into his white Chevrolet Equinox with the false pretext of providing them a ride to their uncle’s home. Instead, he transported them to his residence, where he sexually assaulted and held one of the sisters captive until law enforcement intervened.
Last month, Battle pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges, including rape, kidnapping, and unlawful contact with a minor. On Monday, District Attorney Larry Krasner confirmed that Judge Donna Woelpper of the Court of Common Pleas sentenced Battle to a maximum of 34 years in prison. This lengthy sentence reflects the severity of Battle’s offenses, particularly given his status as a repeat offender. In 2013, he pleaded guilty to the rape of another child and received a maximum ten-year prison sentence.
Krasner characterized the sentence as “appropriately lengthy,” noting that it could keep Battle incarcerated well into his 70s. He emphasized the devastating impact of Battle’s actions, stating that the defendant committed “a lot of harm” to the victims and their families.
During the incident, which occurred in a North Philadelphia neighborhood, the two girls initially declined Battle’s offer for a ride. Despite their resistance, he persisted. Once at his house on the 1600 block of West Lehigh Street, Battle asked if either girl needed to use the restroom, leading one to enter his home while the other remained outside. The girl left the vehicle when she began to feel anxious and sought assistance from an adult, who subsequently called the police.
With a limited description of the vehicle and location, officers managed to locate Battle’s home and forcibly entered. Upon their arrival, they discovered the second girl in distress, pleading for help. Battle was found inside the residence engaging in inappropriate activities while wearing casual attire.
The young girl disclosed to police that Battle had restrained her with duct tape before assaulting her. Despite the profound trauma she endured, the girl demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience by bravely sharing her experience with authorities. A victim impact statement presented at the sentencing hearing conveyed the lasting emotional scars inflicted upon her, indicating a significant shift in her trust towards adults and ongoing feelings of insecurity.
As this case concludes with the harsh sentencing of Battle, discussions surrounding the need for vigilant protection of minors from such predators remain crucial in safeguarding communities. A representative for the Defender’s Association, which offers legal representation for Battle, has not yet commented on the sentencing or the broader implications of this case.
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