Daughter of rape suspect says she was once victim

Kevin Smith accused of grabbing, raping girl on way to school

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. – The daughter of a man accused of kidnapping and raping a girl as she was walking to school in Lauderdale Lakes said Thursday that she was once a victim of her father's sexual abuse.

Kevin Smith, 50, of Pompano Beach, was arrested Tuesday on charges of kidnapping and sexual assault on a minor.

Broward Sheriff's Office deputies said Smith grabbed a girl as she was walking to school Friday, forced her inside his vehicle at knifepoint and raped her. Deputies said he grabbed another girl three days later, but she fought back and got away.

Deputies said there could be other victims, sentiments shared by Smith's daughter.

"I really do believe there's other victims," she told Local 10 News by telephone. "I mean, I'm his own daughter and I was a victim."

Smith's adult daughter said she isn't surprised about the allegations, claiming that her father used to molest her.

"It started when I was about 5," she said.

The molestation lasted for several years, she said, until she "was able to get the courage" to tell her mother about it.

She said Smith was arrested but not convicted.

Smith remains in jail on a $300,000 bond. Smith's daughter said her father is right where he should be.

"How (do) we know it won't escalate to the point of you killing someone?" she said.


About the Authors:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.