AUSTIN, Texas (Gray News) – Police rescued a woman who they say was held captive in a home in Austin, Texas, for months.
According to Austin police, officers responded to the home on Oct. 30 after receiving a call for a woman in distress who appeared to be restrained outside and calling for help.
When officers arrived, they found the woman outside the home, handcuffed to a piece of exercise equipment.
Left to right: Michelle Garcia, Crystal Garcia, Juan Pablo Castro, Maynard Lefevers, Mache Carney(Austin Police Department)
The woman “showed signs of physical distress and had visible injuries consistent with prolonged restraint,” police said.
The woman told officers she had been held at the home for several months and was not allowed to leave.
Officers said they had to cut through heavy metal links to safely free the woman from her restraints.
She was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Her condition is unknown.
Police said while they were helping the woman, several people began exiting the home. They were detained on site.
Five adults were arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, injury to elderly or disabled, and unlawful restraint. They were identified as:
Michelle Garcia, 51Crystal Garcia, 21Mache Carney, 32Juan Pablo Castro, 30Maynard Lefevers, 21
Early investigation indicates that multiple adults living at the home took part in restraining and assaulting the victim over several months.
It’s unclear if the victim is related to anyone who lived at the home.
Three young children were also found in the home. They were safely removed and placed in the care of Child Protective Services, police said.
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