EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — An El Paso couple was arrested and charged with unlawful restraint in a case in which they are accused of locking up their adoptive child in his bedroom for years.
Richard Ramirez, 51, and Nora Ramirez, 52, were both arrested on June 11 and charged with unlawful restraint of their 15-year-old adoptive son.
On June 11, officers with the El Paso Police responded to the 12200 block of Tierra Mar Way in far East El Paso for a welfare check.
The welfare concern involved allegations that the boy had been neglected and confined by his adoptive parents, police said.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with the juvenile victim and his adoptive parents, identified as Richard and Nora Ramirez.
During the investigation, the victim told police that he had been routinely locked in his bedroom for extended periods of time and was forced to use the restroom in his room.
The victim also told police that he would be let out for dinner and then was immediately returned to the room.
The victim told police that he had endured this treatment for 10 years, since he was 5 years old.
Due to the serious nature of the allegations, the case was referred to the Crimes Against Children Unit for further investigation. The ongoing investigation led to the arrest of Richard and Nora Ramirez, police said.
Both individuals were taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. Both were booked under $100,000 bonds.
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