Woman Kept Chained and Tortured for Months by ‘Friends’ in Texas

Austin Police responded to a distress call on 30 October regarding a woman who appeared to be restrained and calling for help at a residence in Texas. When officers arrived at around 9 a.m. local time, they found the unnamed woman half-naked from the waist down, chained to a punching bag stand in the backyard.

“The woman showed signs of physical distress and had visible injuries consistent with prolonged restraint,” police said. Due to the severity and type of restraints, the Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services were called in to safely cut through the heavy metal links. The woman was then transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

While officers were assisting the victim, multiple adults exited the residence and were detained. Three young children were also found on the property. They were safely removed and placed in the care of Child Protective Services to ensure their safety and provide support. Authorities emphasized that the wellbeing of the children was a priority in the ongoing investigation.

The five adults arrested at the scene were identified as Michelle Garcia, 51; Crystal Garcia, 21; Mache Carney, 32; Juan Pablo Castro, 30; and Maynard Lefevers, 21. They have been charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, injury to elderly or disabled persons, and unlawful restraint. Each suspect is currently being held at the Travis County Jail on $305,000 bail.

According to the victim’s affidavit, she endured months of abuse while being held captive. She said that the night before she was discovered, she was shot with a BB gun after getting into trouble. As a form of punishment, she was left half-naked outside overnight. The affidavit further states that at one point, the perpetrators decided they “did not like her anymore” and no longer allowed her to leave the property, effectively keeping her in captivity.

Investigators reported additional details of the abuse. Michelle Garcia allegedly limited the victim to one meal a day, claiming the woman had become too “chunky.” Juan Pablo Castro, who is married to Mache Carney, reportedly told law enforcement, “I hate her,” according to the affidavit. Police continue to investigate the case to determine whether there may be other victims or additional charges.

Authorities have stressed the severity of the situation and urged anyone with information about the case to come forward. The incident has drawn widespread attention due to the prolonged nature of the abuse, the involvement of multiple adults, and the presence of children at the property, highlighting the urgent need for justice and protection for vulnerable individuals.