Woman Blames Hotel for Sexual Assault

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (CN) - A hotel janitor used a master key to enter a guest room and sexually her, the woman claims in court.

Mary Ann Walsh sued Western Pacific Research and the Historic Downtowner Inn and Suites on Dec. 10 in Kern County Court.

Walsh describes herself as a "long term resident" of the hotel.

She claims Abel Ruiz, a janitor, used a master key given to him as part of his job to come into her room and attack her.

Ruiz is not a party to the complaint.

After he sexually assaulted her, on Dec. 10, 2012, Walsh claims, she "escaped to the lobby of the Downtowner Inn and with the assistance of other staff members escaped from Abel Ruiz."

Walsh claims Ruiz had "prior convictions for violent crimes" and often came to work intoxicated or under the influence of "controlled substances."

The hotel did not return requests for comment.

Walsh seeks damages for negligent hiring and retention.

She is represented by John Garner with the Law Offices of Arturo Revelo.

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