15-year-old boy linked to rape of missionary

Police believe a 15-year-old boy is responsible for the July 12 rape of an LDS missionary behind the state's Office of Education in Salt Lake City.

In a news release, police said detectives spoke with the boy, and "it was determined that he was the perpetrator of this crime."

The news release said the boy will be prosecuted through the state's juvenile court system.

The part-time female missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported that she was walking behind the education office, 250 E. 500 South, just before 6 a.m. July 12 when she was grabbed, struck by a rock and sexually assaulted as she was on her way to the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

The woman suffered minor physical injuries.

The area behind the state education building is mostly a driveway and a parking lot with several open garages, state Office of Education spokesman Mark Peterson said. Generally no employees are in the building before 6 a.m., he said, although a security guard comes on duty in the parking lot at 6 a.m.

After the rape, police had only limited information about the attacker. They knew he was about 5 feet 8 inches tall with blond hair and a thin build. They did not know his age. Police did not indicate how they learned the boy was allegedly responsible for the rape.