A family member of a sick woman accused of torturing another woman for months claimed that the horrific actions were justified because “some people liked to frolic,” as reported by Texas police.
Mache Carney, 32, was taken into custody along with several relatives—including her mother, sister, husband, and a family friend—after officers discovered the victim, who was frightened and battered, restrained to a training rack behind their mobile home. According to police, the victim endured starvation and abuse for “months” while being held in front of Carney’s 4-year-old child.
Police documents reveal that Carney didn’t see anything wrong with the handcuffing because “some people like to frolic in bed at night, and it was okay since the victim was restrained at night.” The family asserted that they had known the victim for years and claimed that they had chained her up to prevent theft.
Although the victim reportedly agreed to stay confined as a condition of living with the family, a 911 caller alerted authorities after hearing cries for help from the backyard.
The victim explained that if she attempted to escape or call for assistance, her captors would punish her severely, including beating her and shooting her with a BB gun.
When officers found her, she was chained face down, shirtless, and covered in severe injuries. She had a significant scar on her abdomen, her eyes were swollen shut, and her wrists showed signs of deep bruising where the handcuffs had cut into her skin. There were also numerous small scars all over her body.
The victim shared with police that she was given only one meal a day and left outside in the cold. Medical personnel discovered a BB gun pellet lodged in her right eye while treating her wounds.
The household included three children, including Carney’s 4-year-old son. She had told the child that the victim would face punishment for “killing a rabbit.” It remains unclear how long the victim was kept outside. Carney mentioned that initially, the family kept her locked inside, but then moved her outside because of the smell of urine.
The suspects include Michelle Garcia, 51; her daughters Mache Carney and Crystal Garcia, 21; son-in-law Juan Pablo Castro, 30; and family friend Maynard Lefevers, 21. They face charges like aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault.
Lefevers has a peculiar history, as his grandmother revealed he was once fascinated with creating his own “bed of nails,” often collecting thumbtacks for the purpose.
“When we talked, all he wanted from me were thumbtacks for a bed of nails he was planning to build. I thought that was strange,” noted his 64-year-old grandmother, who had been estranged from her family for years and was shocked to learn about Lefevers’ alleged crime.
The suspects are currently awaiting their next court appearances, scheduled for January 8, with the exception of Michelle Garcia.
