PAHRUMP, Nev. (AP) — A Pahrump man has been arrested on suspicion of holding his mother and older brother against their will.
Nye County sheriff's Sgt. Adam Tippetts said Monday that the 52-year-old woman and 34-year-old man appeared dehydrated, malnourished and in distress when authorities found them Friday.
The victims told law enforcement they had been tied to a bed with ropes and cables for several weeks and given limited restroom breaks, and little food or water.
Tippetts says the woman's younger son, 28-year-old James Thatcher, also covered the bedroom window and installed a surveillance camera. Tippetts says Thatcher; his girlfriend, Chelsea Demille; and another woman, Sandra Wombles, are jailed in an alleged scheme to exploit the victims for their Social Security benefits.
Authorities say it's unlikely the three have attorneys yet.