Elderly men found in Texas ‘dungeon’
Four men found living in a “dungeon” in Houston, Texas said they were being held against their will so their captor could cash their benefit cheques.
Police arrived at the converted garage in the city on Friday morning after receiving an emergency call.
Three of the men were malnourished and taken to hospital, Houston police spokeswoman Jodi Silva said. A fourth man is talking to detectives.
At least one of the men was said to be a military veteran.
Sgt Steven Murdock described the living conditions as “deplorable” and like a “dungeon”.
Investigators are trying to determine how long the men lived there, but they said it may have been weeks.
Police said the men provided conflicting accounts about how long they have been at the house. Some initially reported being there as long as 10 years but later changed their stories.
All four of the men were allegedly enticed to the location with promises of beer and cigarettes and were then not allowed to leave.
They clearly stated to us they were being kept against their will. Jodi Silva
Ms Silva said the men told investigators they were forced to live in the garage – which included just one chair, no bed and a possibly malfunctioning air conditioner – so their captor could collect their welfare payments.
She added: “They clearly stated to us they were being kept against their will.”
Three disabled women, whose ages have not been released, were also found living in the house but were not being held against their will.