40-year-old Arturo Calzada-Becerril and his girlfriend, Erendira Amoles, 41, pose in a police photo following their arrest on kidnapping and assault charges
The woman was found after a maintenance worker heard her cries for help at an apartment complex on November 3. A maintenance technician had reported hearing muffled screams from the apartment, prompting the building management to call 911.
A woman in Fargo, North Dakota, was rescued after allegedly being chained to a bed for two years, beaten and sexually assaulted by her ex-husband and his girlfriend, police said. Officers responding to the building found her restrained by a heavy chain and padlock around her right ankle, with the chain secured to the bedframe, according to court documents cited by the New York Post. Police interviewed her with the help of a translator, as she communicated through a translation app, according to the reports. Court documents state that Calzada-Becerril told police he kept the woman restrained so that “she did not run away”, claiming she was addicted to drugs and that he did not want her to start using again.
The victim was taken to hospital after being freed.
Amoles was usually responsible for handling the victim and unlocking her from the bedframe, according to court documents. She returned to the apartment with her eight-year-old daughter shortly after authorities discovered the woman.
A judge set bail at $500,000 each.
Prosecutors said both defendants could face deportation. Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.