Texas police charged five people with crimes after finding an elderly woman handcuffed to exercise equipment outside of a home in Austin.
Police charged the following five people with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, injury to the elderly or disabled, and unlawful restraint:
- Michelle Garcia, 51
- Crystal Garcia, 21
- Mache Carney, 32
- Juan Pablo Castro, 30
- Maynard Lefevers, 21
Police said they were called to the area on October 30 around 9:09 a.m. when someone reported that a woman was screaming for help. When officers arrived, they found the woman outside the Austin home handcuffed to exercise equipment.
"The woman showed signs of physical distress and had visible injuries consistent with prolonged restraint. The woman told officers she had been held at the residence for several months and was not allowed to leave," police said.
Officers were forced to cut through heavy metal links to release the woman, who was then taken to a hospital.
Police said that as they helped the woman, several adults began exiting the home and were detained. Police then searched the home and found three young children inside. The children were placed in the care of protective services.
"Preliminary information gathered at the scene, including interviews and evidence, indicates that multiple adults living at the residence were involved in restraining and assaulting the victim over a period of time," police said.
