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Couple Held For Alleged Assault And Torture Of Man With Diminished Mental Capacity

SANTA MONICA (CBS) —  Police have arrested a 25-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman in connection with assaulting a 26-year-old man with diminished mental capacity.

The victim was taken to a Culver City hospital Sunday and treated for injuries from a severe assault, said Sgt. Jay Trisler of the Santa Monica Police Department. The victim has been transferred to another hospital for more advanced care.

"Physicians advised the officer that the victim appeared to be emaciated and suffered from numerous cuts, abrasions and contusions over his entire body, including his genitalia," Trisler said. "Further investigation revealed that the victim had numerous new tattoos and appeared to have lost 60 to 80 pounds of weight."

Trisler said the victim told police he had been held against his will at a home in the 3000 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, where he was assaulted and tortured repeatedly.

Detectives arrested Francisco Gerardo Rodriguez and Maria Leyva Jasmilet, Trisler said.

Rodriguez was booked for assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem, torture and abuse of a dependent adult. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail and is expected to appear in court Monday.

Jasmilet was booked for abuse of a dependent adult.

Rodriguez and Jasmilet's two children, ages five and seven, were taken into protective custody and placed with the Department of Children and Family Services.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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