3 Plead Guilty To Holding Captive, Torturing Teen

STOCKTON (AP) — Three of the four defendants accused of holding captive and torturing a 16-year-old boy in a Central California home for more than a year have reached a plea deal.

Michael Schumacher, Kelly Lau and Caren Ramirez pleaded guilty Friday to charges, including corporal injury to a child.

Prosecutors say Ramirez was the teen's legal guardian and brought him to live in Schumacher and Lau's home in Tracy.

The boy escaped in 2008 and showed up at a local fitness center bruised, emaciated and wearing a shackle on his ankle.

Schumacher and Lau's neighbor, Anthony Waiters, are also accused of taking part in the abuse. Waiters has pleaded not guilty. Under terms of the plea deal, Schmacher faces 30 years in prison, Lau faces 33 years and Ramirez faces 34 years.

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