GRAYSON VALLEY, AL (WIAT)--- Sheriff’s deputies are searching for the man they say sexually assaulted an elderly woman in north Jefferson County Wednesday morning.

The victim, in her late 70's, is on oxygen.  Yet that still didn't stop her attacker.

Deputies say it happened in Grayson Valley, where someone broke into a 77-year-old lady's home, sexually assaulted her, stole money from her purse, and then left.

"I wouldn’t know what I would do if that happened to my grandmother. That’s just crazy,” said Tommy Griffiths, who works in the Grayson Valley area.

"That would blow me away if it happened to my grandparent. It's just sad that somebody would go that low and that dirty. I think it’s disgusting,” said Christine Colza who has a friend who lives in Grayson Valley.

Detectives believe the victim was targeted because she was old and lived alone.

"What kind of twisted, sick person would target someone in that kind of situation? It’s something that's certainly got the hair on our necks standing up,” said Randy Christian from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

"I’m terrified and I just can't believe that someone would do that to an elderly lady. I’m considered elderly, too, so I would probably have a heart attack,” said Jean Camp who’s lived in Grayson Valley the last twenty years.

"It just lets us know the time that we're living in, you have to be more careful of your surroundings and plus you have to check on your neighbors, whether they be elderly or just anybody, just check on your neighbors,” said Katrina English.

Deputies report the victim is recovering in the hospital.

Detectives say they're doing everything they can to track down the suspect. Right now, they're not disclosing his description, but if you have any information as to who he might be, you're urged to contact the sheriff's office at (205) 325-1450.