Houston man arrested for allegedly kidnapping woman and holding her captive in garage for 5 years
01/08/2024 5:30 pm PST
HOUSTON (TCD) -- A 52-year-old man was arrested over the weekend for allegedly kidnapping a woman and keeping her locked in his home for years.
Houston Police Department Commander Michael Collins said in a news briefing aired by KRIV-TV on Thursday, Jan. 4, that investigators obtained a warrant in April to arrest Lee Carter on a charge of aggravated kidnapping. Carter was found Wednesday, Jan. 3, at a motel, but police searched his home on Perry Street because they were concerned about someone possibly being held captive inside.
Collins said investigators approached the home and knocked on the door, but no one responded. However, they heard a loud television and a dog barking inside. He said accusations in the warrant were "serious," so there were "exigent circumstances to search the premises." Some of the doors were reportedly open, including one that "looked like it had sustained some prior damage."
Investigators noticed an attached garage with a deadbolt on the outside, so the room could only be locked or unlocked from the exterior.
Collins said no one else was in the home when investigators went inside except for the dog. Officials took custody of the dog, who was reportedly in good condition. The purported victim was not at the home, but Collins said investigators are following up on leads to locate her.
According to Carter’s probable cause affidavit, on April 7, a Houston Police officer responded to Carter’s home after receiving a call about a kidnapping in progress and found the victim inside. The victim reportedly said she met Carter "four or five years ago" when she was panhandling on the street and he pulled over to give her a dollar. He drove off, then allegedly returned and asked if she needed help because she was pregnant. She then got in his car "against her better judgment," and he took them back to his house.
The affidavit alleges Carter kept her locked in the garage, forced her to do drugs, and sexually assaulted her. She reportedly tried to escape several times, but Carter "ran after her, grabbed her, and returned her to the garage."
Carter allegedly gave her chips and other snacks, but rarely a full meal. He also allegedly prevented her from showering.
He reportedly let her use his laptop occasionally, and on April 7, she texted police using a computer app and allegedly said she was being held captive.
The police and fire departments had previously responded to Carter’s home. One time, the victim reportedly managed to escape by breaking a garage window and crawling out of it. However, she had to go to the hospital, and Carter ended up picking her up. He then boarded up the windows in the garage.
According to the affidavit, the victim last saw Carter one day before she texted police. She said she did not want to go back to the residence and was in "imminent fear" of Carter. The victim requested an emergency protection order against Carter.
Investigators found the single-car garage had been altered so that there was no longer a door for a car to enter and exit. They also discovered a "makeshift toilet that did not flush," a mattress covered in vomit, a television, chips, Twinkies, folded shirts, and diapers.
The affidavit said the victim weighed about 70 pounds at the time of her rescue in April, had a "pungent stench" coming from her body, and "crusty" hair.
KHOU-TV reports Carter appeared in court Monday, Jan. 8, and pleaded not guilty. He allegedly said the victim is his son’s mother. Carter was released from jail after posting bond and will remain under house arrest with an ankle monitor.
It was not immediately clear what happened to the child the victim was pregnant with during her alleged captivity.
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