ORLANDO, Fla. — Lucy Pat Curl, an 85-year-old woman known for her musical talent at First Baptist church, is currently on a ventilator and in a coma after a brutal home invasion last Friday night. Her husband, Pastor Bill Curl, found her after he returned from providing counseling services. The assailant, identified as Ronald Dwayne Davis, allegedly posed as a community service officer to gain entry into their home on Caribbean Court.
Before losing consciousness, Lucy managed to provide details about her attacker, leading to Davis’s arrest the following day. According to police, after assaulting Lucy, Davis tried to flee the scene but inadvertently left his driver’s license at the Curl’s residence. He was found hiding in a shed on a nearby property where he resided.
The community of First Baptist Orlando, one of Central Florida’s largest church and school complexes, has been reeling from the news. During Sunday’s sermon, head Pastor David Uth touched upon the incident, expressing bewilderment over the motive behind such violent acts and revealing Davis’s extensive criminal history. The congregation responded with audible gasps and calls for prayer as Uth detailed Lucy’s critical condition and the random nature of the attack.
Orlando Police have charged Davis with home invasion robbery, aggravated battery on a person aged 65 or older, and aggravated battery with a weapon. This latest incident adds to a lengthy rap sheet for Davis, who has been arrested multiple times since 1985 and was last released from the Department of Correction in June of the previous year. His criminal activities have often targeted vulnerable individuals, with convictions ranging from false imprisonment to assault with a deadly weapon.
Davis refused to leave his cell for his first court appearance over the weekend and is currently being held without bond. A hearing is scheduled for Friday morning in Orange County circuit court to discuss the charges against him. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly among the congregants of First Baptist, who know Lucy for her dedication to faith and her love for playing the piano.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about safety for the elderly and the need for more stringent measures to prevent such violent crimes. It also highlights the challenges of reintegration for individuals with a history of violent offenses. Community leaders and law enforcement are now faced with reassessing the effectiveness of current protocols in addressing the complexities of repeat offenders.
As the community rallies around Lucy and her family, Pastor Uth and other local leaders are calling for enhanced community support and vigilance to protect the most vulnerable. The case is a harsh reminder of the fragility of safety and the devastating impact of crime on victims and their communities.