According to investigators, the woman was found handcuffed to a piece of exercise equipment outside, unable to move and exposed to the cold. The disturbing scene left officers stunned as they worked quickly to get her medical attention.
The Austin Police Department has confirmed that multiple people have been arrested in connection with the case, which they described as one of the most disturbing incidents they have encountered in recent memory.
The report continued: “The woman told officers she had been held at the residence for several months and was not allowed to leave. Officers immediately worked to free her and requested assistance from Austin Fire (AFD) and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services.”
Authorities later released the names of the suspects believed to be involved in the incident, saying each played a role in the woman’s abuse and confinement.
They now face a long list of serious charges, including aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, and injury to the elderly or disabled. Police said the combination of these charges reflects both the physical and emotional suffering the victim endured.
In a disturbing twist, the woman told investigators she had once been friends with Garcia, but said that “at some point, [the group] decided they no longer liked her” and began holding her captive. The chilling statement was included in an affidavit obtained by the Austin American-Statesman.
The Austin Police Department later said: “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.”
Officials added that the evidence collected so far suggests a pattern of ongoing abuse, with multiple people involved in restraining and assaulting the victim over time.
As part of that “punishment,” she was allegedly shot with a BB gun, handcuffed to a backyard stand, and left outside overnight as temperatures dropped below 40°F. Police said the extreme cold likely made her condition much worse by the time they arrived.
All five suspects remain in custody at the Travis County Jail on $305,000 bail each. Detectives have said the investigation is ongoing, as they continue to collect evidence and determine whether additional charges may be filed.
