Aunt Arrested in Case of Tortured Calif. Teen

Woman had lived on and off with couple previously charged

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 3, 2008 12:55 PM CST

(Newser) – California police have arrested the aunt of the teen who escaped from a house where he was apparently being held prisoner, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Caren Ramirez was found in Berkeley and handed over to police in Tracy, where the boy was found shackled and beaten. Ramirez faces charges of kidnapping, child abuse, and torture, as does the couple whose house the boy escaped from—where Ramirez also stayed.

Ramirez is also being held on a warrant for her arrest stemming from child abuse charges last year. The couple also held, Michael Schumacher and Kelly Lau, apparently took in Ramirez and her nephew, but how the situation devolved into such a nightmare is unclear. Lau has four children of her own, all of whom are now in protective custody. “You know, she's gullible,” her mother said.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

This undated photo provided by the Tracy Police Department shows Caren Ramirez. (AP Photo)

The Tracy, Calif. home where police believe Kelly Layne Lau and Michael Schumacher held a 17 year-old boy captive. (AP Photo)

The booking mug for Kelly Layne Lau. (AP Photo)

The booking mug for Michael Schumacher. (AP Photo)

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You know, she's gullible. She'll hear everything and listen to everything and if you're a friend to her, you're a friend and she'll try to protect you and whatever. - Stephana Brown, Kelly Lau's mother

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COMMENTS

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Showing 2 of 2 comments

Guest

Sep 4, 2009 8:03 PM CDT

. Disturbing truth. Her mother's explantion is just as disturbing as her daughters actions., Is she saying her daughter has no concept of right and wrong? That she will do anything for a friend? Hmmm..Manson had follwers too, so does all the gang leaders. Ironically, most follwers are the ones that physically commit the crimes. The truth shall unvail

Guest

Dec 3, 2008 11:02 PM CST

Very strange.

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San Francisco Chronicle (Source Grid »)

On the first arrests, and the escape
New York Daily News

The case shocks a neighborhood
Sacramento Bee

California • torture • San Francisco • police • kidnapping • child abuse • arrest • Berkeley • Caren Ramirez • Michael Schumacher • Kelly Lau

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Aunt Arrested in Case of Tortured Calif. Teen