Shackled California Teen Tells Police He Escaped Torture and Captivity

December 02, 2008

A disturbing case of alleged child abuse and torture came to light in Tracy, California, yesterday, when a half-naked and emaciated 17-year-old boy managed to escape from a residence where he reportedly had been held captive for roughly one year.

According to police, the boy, who has not yet been identified, ran into In-Shape City gym at about 4 p.m. Monday and asked an employee to hide him. Witnesses say that the boy, who was covered in soot, urine, and feces, was carrying a chain that was padlocked to his ankle.

"He just said, 'Hide me, please, hide me. They're coming for me.' He was cowering, trying not to be seen," In-Shape Assistant Manager Lea Leonardo told Recordnet.com. "I thought he was a burn victim at first. He was so thin; I thought he was a 12 year old. I couldn't believe what was happening."

According to police, the boy was initially confused about where he was and how he got there; however, he eventually told them that he ran away from a Sacramento foster home in 2007 to look for his biological family. The boy was reported missing; and, at some point he made his way from Sacramento to Tracy, a 70-mile journey, and allegedly ended up being held captive in a tract home less than a block from the gym.

"The wounds he had and his physical condition, as well as having a chain around his leg, corroborated his basic statement that he was being held against his will," Matt Robinson, a spokesman from the Tracy Police Department told Foxnews.com.

As the investigation continued, the boy was transported to Sutter Tracy Community Hospital, where he remains in serious but stable condition. Police say injuries on the boy's body suggest that he had been sexually abused.

Based upon the boy's initial statement and his poor physical condition, police, yesterday, went to 630 Tennis Lane, the house the boy identified as the place where he was held. They took into custody a married couple that has since been identified as 34-year-old Michael Luther Schumacher and 30-year-old Kelly Layne Lau-Schumacher. At that time, the couple's four children, ages 1, 3, 11, and 9, were placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.

According to Robinson, a search of the home revealed evidence that further supports the boy's statement to police.

This morning, Schumacher and his wife were booked into San Joaquin County Jail on suspicion of felony conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, torture, kidnapping, false imprisonment by violence, and child beating. Both are being held in lieu of nearly $1.2 million in bail.

During an afternoon media briefing, investigators revealed that they are looking for a third suspect in the case, who is believed to be the boy's aunt. Police have identified her as 43-year-old Karen Ramirez. It remains unclear how she is connected to the case, as investigators have released no further details.

"We want to make sure there's an air-tight case for the DA's office," Robinson told Sacbee.com.

Anyone with information about this case or the location of Karen Ramirez is asked to contact the Tracy Police Department at 209-831-4552.

Please note: Persons appearing in mug shots may not have not been convicted of the charges for which they are accused and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Comments

[cb]

I read this earlier and it made me physically ill. Unbelievable.

I'm glad that he was able to escape, but I'm sure he'll be far more damaged than what the physical wounds show.

Poor kid.

Sick people!

[terry wagar]

Eric -redacted- and Joan -redacted-, A,K,A, Doubleclick and Mrs Dash,( yes those are there nicknames they gave each other.) admitted to poisoning me while I was a plasma donor back in 2005.

Eric pedofied me behind prison walls and then framed me as a pedophile on march 26th 2007, I caught the crime on a audio recorder I put in Joan's purse.

there were people in authority helping them with this and nobody in authority will help they pretend nothing happened and refuse to investigate this.

Eric changed his hair color and his name but this is not hidden, only ignored by the authority's and media

Im disabled from being poisoned and the hospitals refuse to admit Im poisoned.

My Family is in danger from these people and I have no other recoarse but to make these charges public.

My name is Terry,Im from portland oregon and Im backing up these charges.

I have been threatened with harassment charges by a Sargent -redacted-, a portland police officer stationed at the OHSU hospital, for the non crime of reporting a multi murder conspiracy within that hospital.

They dont give a $#!% joan and eric was poisoning a plasma donor!

[cb]

David

I'm just checking in on updates and I haven't a clue what the second post is about. Is this poster telling you that his story somehow relates to this case via aliases?

I am scratching my head thinking,"what the, what!?".

Did you understand it, or did you just post it because you have no idea what to make of it?

-Edited by David Lohr to add: I am not sure what they are saying or if it relates to the case that it was posted under. Perhaps the person who left the comment can clarify?-

[John]

This is disturbing to me for another reason, it's only 45 minutes from where I live. Makes me wonder what else is going on right around me.

Initially it sounds like people dealing with a troubled teen using barbaric methods. Hopefully this teen can get some help from people that will properly care for him.

[poplife]

This character posts this stuff all over the net. It's hogwash.

[Matt]

This case is totally outrageous. These suspects committed a horrifying act against a human. I hope they are convicted and sent away for life. They have no remorse for the value of a human life. They should suffer for the rest of their lives because that boy is permantly traumatized by what they had done to him. May god have mercy on their souls.

[Thom]

This California teen's trauma will be deep set for a long time. His need for professional, and caring help will be constant. The State authorities should be constantly scrutinized, monitored, and screened to assure this boy's proper treatment and guidance...to hopefully,eventually, allow him to enter into some sort of normal life. Good luck Kid.

[fran grubb]

I was kidnapped from an orphanage at age nine by my acoholic father who had escaped San Quinton prison after serving three years for rape and assault on my oldest sister and attempted murder of my mother. He kept me hidden under bridges and in migrant camps for five years until I finally escaped on a frozen lonely deserted back road in Michigan.
The horror and nightly torture of those years lasted long after my ordeal was over. I would like to tell my story to Investigation Discovery if anyone knows how I can get in touch with them please let me know.You can go to my website and leave the address or phone number. Thank you.

[GARY]

i wish I could this boy something great for Christmas and give him a hug. These abusers should have the same thing done to them as they did to this poor innocent boy.

[mulberry factory outlet]

Don't know what is wrong what is rite but i know that every one has there own point of view and same goes to this one