HOUSTON — Police say a man held his wife captive for five years inside the $1 million Texas home they shared with their children.
James Earl Johnson was arrested on Friday morning but has since bonded out of jail with an order to stay away from the victim and the couple’s home in Houston.
Police say the victim, a 46-year-old disabled woman, was held in a bedroom under lock and key with no phone access.
Court documents say that when Johnson finally left a phone on the nightstand on Friday that the victim used it to call 911.
But police say Johnson cut the call short, allegedly slapping his wife and carrying her back to bed before hanging up on the 911 dispatcher.
The victim’s adult son told ABC Houston affiliate KTRK his mother was in the hospital on Monday, but didn’t elaborate on her condition or the nature of her disability.
“People might think it’s easy to just leave, but if you’re suffering from some sort of disability, the chances are greater that you can’t leave,” said trauma therapist Chau Nguyen.
The victim appears to have made at least one previous attempt.
Police confirm she called them Nov. 16. But when officers arrived at the house, they say she told them she and her children were told to stay quiet and not say anything to police.
Officers left without filing a report.
“Over time, there’s fear, there’s dependence. Sometimes there’s even a trauma bond between the victim and the abuser,” said Nguyen.
KTRK tried reaching Johnson at the phone number he listed on court paperwork, but our message was not returned.
At last check, he had not hired an attorney.
National Domestic Violence Hotline – 800-799-SAFE (7233) | Text “START” to 88788 | thehotline.org
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