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Suspect: I'm Glad Shackled Teen Escaped

Woman says aunt chained boy to table and beat him daily

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 4, 2008 3:57 AM CST

(Newser) – A woman charged with the kidnapping and torture of a teenage boy says she's glad he managed to escape her California home, News10 reports. Kelly Lau  said she invited the boy and his aunt, Caren Ramirez, to stay with her temporarily, but they never left. Ramirez kept the boy chained to a coffee table and beat him daily, sometimes using a heated aluminum bat, according to Lau. The teen, still with a shackle on his ankle, managed to escape earlier this week.

Lau admits she also beat the boy, partly because she had been told that was how to discipline him and because she feared Ramirez would hurt her own four children. "I'm glad he escaped and I hope he's okay," she said. "I never wanted any of this to happen." Lau's children have been taken into protective custody. She and her husband, who has also been charged in the case, are due to appear in court today.

Caren Ramirez, the kidnapped boy's aunt, poses for a booking photo in San Joaquin County.
Caren Ramirez, the kidnapped boy's aunt, poses for a booking photo in San Joaquin County.   (AP Photo/ San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department)
This is the Tracy, Calif., home where police believe Kelly Layne Lau and Michael Schumacher held a 17-year-old boy captive.
This is the Tracy, Calif., home where police believe Kelly Layne Lau and Michael Schumacher held a 17-year-old boy captive.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Michael Schumacher, 34, has been charged with kidnapping and torture after police discovered a teen with a chain on his ankle in a California gym.
Michael Schumacher, 34, has been charged with kidnapping and torture after police discovered a teen with a chain on his ankle in a California gym.   (AP Photo/Tracy Police Department)
Kelly Layne Lau, 30, has been charged with kidnapping and torture in the imprisonment of a teenage boy.
Kelly Layne Lau, 30, has been charged with kidnapping and torture in the imprisonment of a teenage boy.   (AP Photo/Tracy Police Department)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Shannonals
Dec 4, 2008 7:08 PM CST
Both women need to be locked up
Guest
Dec 4, 2008 6:52 AM CST
Make them spend a week in the chemical muck in Iraq
Count4Something
Dec 4, 2008 5:03 AM CST
Nagual. You are correct, I would be no better. I am a Christian and I know well why it is no longer and eye for and eye, but God help these kids. Children are a gift loaned to us by God. Someday we will all answer for things, but in the mean time, who helps the children?

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