A Merritt Island tenant who says she was watched, attacked and raped inside her apartment while moving out on Jan. 5 is publicly calling for her landlord to be held responsible and is preparing a negligence lawsuit. She told reporters that building doors and locks were left unsecured and that management ignored written complaints about a man squatting on the property.
Police Say Suspect Was Quickly Tracked Down
According to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office and local coverage, deputies arrested 40-year-old Kelvin Johnson on Jan. 7. He faces charges that include sexual battery, home invasion robbery, aggravated assault and a violation of probation. FOX 35 Orlando reports that investigators relied on surveillance video, witness accounts and evidence left at the scene to identify him.
Survivor And Attorney Turn Up Heat On Complex
At a Thursday news conference, the survivor, whom local outlets are not naming, appeared with her attorney, Maegan Bridwell, and accused the complex of ignoring clear warning signs. WESH reports that Bridwell said the suspect was allowed to squat in an unleased unit and that written complaints about broken locks and missing security cameras were acknowledged but never fixed.
Tenants Say Real Changes Came After The Assault
Residents told reporters that new management has since added locks and brightened lighting around the property, but several said those upgrades only appeared after the attack. ClickOrlando quoted tenants describing squatting as a long-running problem, with one resident saying, "I feel safer," following the recent changes.
Negligence Fight On The Horizon
The survivor's legal team says the civil case will likely hinge on whether the complex had a duty to protect its tenants and whether the assault was reasonably foreseeable, which are key elements of a negligent-security claim under Florida law. A Florida House analysis of HB 1423 notes that plaintiffs generally must show that the owner owed a duty, breached that duty and that the criminal act was foreseeable, and it points out that lawmakers have been working to spell out security benchmarks for multifamily properties.
What Comes Next
The law firm representing the survivor says it expects to file the lawsuit in the coming days. When reached by reporters, staff at Addison Cove's leasing office declined to comment on the allegations or the looming case. As FOX 35 Orlando reported, the survivor said she wants her case to lead to changes so other tenants are not forced to choose between their safety and their home.
