Police: Woman Was Sexually Assaulted, Beaten Inside Church

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Police in DeKalb County said officers continued to search Sunday for the man responsible for sexually assaulting a woman while she worked alone inside St. Timothy United Methodist Church on Saturday.

Suspect In Church Attack Still On The Loose

On Sunday, investigators released a description of the attacker who got away.

Channel 2 Action News reporter Erica Byfield spoke to a DeKalb County detective on Sunday who said the victim was still recovering at a local hospital.

Meanwhile, people who attend her church used the Sunday morning service to pray for her.

Parishioners stood at the alter together on Sunday with heads bowed and hands clasped to pray for the church member who was sexually assaulted inside the house of worship Saturday afternoon.

"We live in a violent world, but most of the time we only hear about it or see it at a distance. Yesterday it came up close," said church member Jamie Jenkisons.

DeKalb County police said the victim was assaulted and beaten.

Sunday afternoon, police released new information about the man they are looking for. He is described as a black male in his 50s with short hair, around 6 feet 2 inches tall and 180 pounds. No further description was released.

"I couldn't sleep last night. It's hard to fathom that this could happen to someone that you know and worship with every Sunday," said church member Lynne Collier.

Investigators said they continue to look for leads. Anyone with information is asked to call DeKalb County police.

Previous Stories: February 26, 2011: Police: Woman Sexually Assaulted In Church

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