11-Year-Old Girl Fought Rapist To Escape; Attacker Sentenced To Prison

DUNDALK, MD — The man convicted by a jury of first-degree rape, attempted first-degree rape and kidnapping of an 11-year-old girl outside a Dundalk elementary school has been sentenced to life without parole. The September trial of Royal Quinn lasted four days.

On Dec. 2, 2019, the girl was walking along a trail near the baseball fields of Norwood Elementary School in Dundalk. According to police, Quinn grabbed the girl from behind, dragged her to a grassy area and threw her on the ground. Court documents said he pulled the girl's pants down and sexually assaulted her. When Quinn took off, the girl ran to the school for help.

Video footage and additional evidence led investigators to Quinn, who was shown repeatedly punching the girl while she struggled to break free for at least 7 minutes. Before carrying out the attack, prosecutors said Quinn had stalked the victim from his car.

Before Quinn's sentencing, the victim wrote an impact statement that read, “I was attacked ... it affected me a lot psychologically ... I give thanks to God and authorities for bringing justice."

In 2014, Quinn was convicted in Baltimore City of second-degree murder and possession of a deadly weapon. He was released from prison in 2017. While in jail for the rape and kidnapping of the 11-year-old girl, Quinn also was convicted of exposing himself to a female corrections officer.

“Today we are assured a very dangerous man will be in jail forever and never walk the streets a free man. The victim was so strong to walk into the courtroom and tell this terrible story,” Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger said.