A woman in France who was held against her will for five years made a daring escape this week while one of her captors was busy watching TV.
French police have not revealed the woman's identity, but said she was in her 40s and her version of events is supported by corroborating evidence. Police arrested a 62-year-old woman and an 82-year-old man in the case, France Bleu reported.
The outlet reported that the victim originally lived with the 62-year-old as a roommate. The roommate worked as a nursing assistant at the Guérande hospital and eventually brought home a boyfriend who is now, 82 years old.
The victim soon found herself a victim, first being kept in a tent in a garden, but eventually being forced to live in a locked garage. It was from the garage that the woman eventually escaped on October 14, France Bleu reported. She ran to a neighbor's home, and the police were called. According to France Bleu, police discovered the garage door blocked with concrete blocks from the outside.
Other evidence included her bank accounts, which showed little activity since 2022 except for the transfer of money to the couple. According to Frane Bleu, the woman was washed with bleach, fed porridge mixed with dish soap, and medicated. The outlet reported that the woman lost about 110 pounds while she was being held.
The couple face several charges including arbitrary confinement with torture or acts of barbarity, BFM-TV reported. While locked in the garage for years, the woman slept on a deck chair and relieved herself in plastic bags.
Originally published on Lawyer Herald
