Disturbing Discovery in Texas Backyard
In a shocking incident, police in Texas found a woman, handcuffed and partially undressed, in a backyard, who had reportedly endured weeks of torture at the hands of acquaintances.
The Austin Police Department revealed the details in a statement after officers performed a welfare check shortly after 9 a.m. on October 30. They responded to a report of a distressed woman who seemed to be calling for help while restrained.
According to an affidavit, the woman told investigators that the night before her rescue, she “got into trouble” because her pants had fallen off.
Upon arrival, officers discovered her handcuffed to exercise equipment outside the residence. Signs of physical distress were evident, along with visible injuries suggesting she had been restrained for an extended period. She informed the police that she had been kept in the house for several months and was not permitted to leave.
A heavy metal link needed to be cut to free her, and she was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Inside the house, police found three children, who were safely taken into custody by Child Protective Services for their welfare.
Authorities arrested five individuals residing at the home, charging them with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, and unlawful restraint. The suspects were identified as Michelle Garcia, 51, Mache Carney, 32, Juan Pablo Castro, 30, Crystal Garcia, 21, and Maynard Lefevers, 21.
In the arrest affidavit, it was mentioned that the woman was friends with one of the female suspects and had frequently visited the home. However, she claimed that one day, her friends decided they no longer wanted her there and prevented her from leaving.
Carney stated that he restrained her to stop her from allegedly stealing from a neighbor. Some suspects suggested that the woman had mental health issues. One of them, Crystal Garcia, mentioned that she believed the woman was only “50-50” capable of consenting.
The affidavit detailed how the woman had reportedly been at the home since July and was “handcuffed in and out” for months. It was also revealed that Carney’s husband, Castro, admitted to buying the handcuffs.
The woman recounted horrific abuse, stating that she was shot multiple times with a BB gun, beaten with a baseball bat, and given only one meal each day. Notably, Michelle Garcia claimed she limited the woman’s food intake to avoid her gaining weight, although the police observed her in a state of malnutrition when found.
In addition to the physical injuries, the woman suffered numerous BB gun scars, a swollen eye, and other bruises. The affidavit included that Castro confessed to shooting her with a BB gun out of hatred.
Even more disturbingly, a child residing in the home reported that Castro shot the woman while she was unwell and had heard her screaming.
The woman explained to investigators that she was punished by being left overnight handcuffed in the backyard without pants or food in 40-degree temperatures. Despite her cries for help, she was threatened with greater violence if she continued to protest her situation.
The investigation continues, and anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Austin Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit.
