All five suspects are charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, injury to elderly or disabled and unlawful restraint.

AUSTIN, Texas — Five people are facing kidnapping and abuse-related charges after a woman was found restrained outside a residence in South Austin.

According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers received a check welfare urgent call in the 1700 block of Bitter Creek Dr. at around 9 a.m. on Oct. 30. The call text reported that a woman in distress who appeared to be restrained was calling for help.

Officers arrived and located the woman outside of a home handcuffed to a piece of exercise equipment. Officers said that the woman showed signs of being in physical distress and had injuries consistent with being restrained for an extended period.

The woman told APD officers that she had been at the residence for several months and wasn’t allowed to leave. Officers, along with members of the Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS, worked to free her from the restraints, which were heavy metal and had to be cut through due to their condition.

The woman was taken to the hospital, where she still remains. Her condition is unknown.

As officers worked to free the woman, a number of people began exiting the residence. Each was detained as officers secured the scene to make sure there were no additional victims or threats inside.

Three young children were also found at the property. They were taken and placed in the care of Child Protective Services, according to APD.

APD said a preliminary investigation revealed that multiple adults who had lived at the residence appeared to be involved in restraining and assaulting the victim over a period of time.

Five people were arrested at the scene:

Michelle Garcia, 51Crystal Garcia, 21Mache Carney, 32Juan Pablo Castro, 30Maynard Lefevers, 21

Each are facing charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, injury to elderly or disabled and unlawful restraint.

Police said the investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with any information should contact APD’s Human Trafficking unit at 512-974-4786. A tip may be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.