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Investigation ongoing in beating of Orfordville woman

ORFORDVILLE — Rock County sheriff's detectives continue investigating the severe beating of a woman in a mobile home park outside Orfordville.

The woman in her 40s was found unconscious at 1 p.m. Sunday in Country Courts Trailer Home Park, about a mile northeast of Orfordville on South Old Highway 11, according to the Rock County Sheriff's Office.

A deputy was responding to an unrelated burglary complaint when a member of the woman's family reported her "down" in a nearby trailer, Sheriff Bob Spoden said.

It appeared the woman has been lying injured since the previous night, he said.

The woman had severe head injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital in Janesville, according to the sheriff's office, and she remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Detectives have no suspects in the crime, Spoden said.

"It was such a severe assault," he said. "We view this as a very serious matter. It obviously is disturbing when a person is attacked and injured."

It is unknown whether the attack was domestic, random or sexual in nature, Spoden said. No weapon has been discovered.

The woman's name was not released because the sheriff's office doesn't reveal the names of possible rape victims, he said.

"Until we can actually talk to her and actually do an interview with her, it's speculation what had occurred," he said. "It is so early we're not ruling anything out."

Luella Lewis, a resident of the mobile home park for three years, and Chuck Davis, a resident of 14 years, said neighbors are describing the incident as a beating and rape.

The woman is "good as gold," Davis said.

"She's a nice girl," he said. "She talks to my wife."

The neighborhood has an upper and lower court, Davis said.

The woman lived on the lower court, which is known to turn over new residents every few months, he said.

The area usually is quiet and peaceful, Lewis said.

The only problem is occasional fast drivers, she said.

Everybody looks out for each another and keeps an eye out for their neighbors, Lewis said.

Spoden said residents in the neighborhood are safe, but they should call police if they see anything unusual.

Investigators remained at the home most of the day Monday. Crime scene tape was around the trailer.

Detectives interviewed neighbors and collected evidence. A deputy was assigned to the hospital to protect the woman.

More information will be released as it becomes available, Spoden said.