Accused Lee County rapist released from prison

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FORT MYERS, Fla. An accused serial rapist is back on the streets.

Caleb Baker, 19, of 3528 Knollwood Rd., was arrested Wednesday for allegedly raping a woman last October, but was released from the Lee County Jail on a $50,000 bond a few hours after he was taken into custody. Baker’s DNA was also linked to two other sexual assaults in January.

The victim’s mother, who wished to remain unidentified, was shocked.

“I think it’s insanity, I don’t understand why the bond is low,” she said. “I don’t understand why he even got a bond.”

The victim was in the Papa John’s parking lot at 3412 Cleveland Ave. when Baker pulled up next to her, told her to get in and pointed a gun at her, according to arrest reports.

He forced her to perform oral sex, then raped her in the backseat.

Afterward, Baker ordered her out of the vehicle and sped off. The victim was forced to walk a mile to the emergency room at Lee Memorial Hospital, deputies said.

On Mar. 16, the victim picked Baker out of a line-up.

“She said when the detective laid out all the photos — I think he gave her six or eight to choose from– she said she looked down and instantly picked him out. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind,” the victim’s mother said.

The state attorney’s office asked the judge to hold Baker in custody with no bond, but the judge denied that request. Baker hasn’t gone to trial for the January sexual assaults he’s accused of committing, making him eligible for bond.

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