Shackled Calif. teen escapes captors

TRACY, Calif. - After he was held captive for nearly a year, an emaciated and shackled 17-year-old climbed out a window in the home of his captors and walked into a nearby fitness center in search of help, police said.

Authorities were still investigating the youth's alleged imprisonment and abuse by a California couple, but details of his escape became clearer yesterday.

Police were trying to determine how his aunt and one-time guardian knew the couple accused of holding him.

Caren Ramirez, 43, was arrested Tuesday in Berkeley, a day after the youth walked into the gym and asked managers to hide him. He was covered in soot, had a chain on his foot, and was wearing only boxer briefs.

Police arrested a couple, Kelly Layne Lau, 30, and Michael Schumacher, 34, who live near the gym in Tracy and booked them on suspicion of torture, kidnapping, and child abuse.

Tracy is about 60 miles east of San Francisco.

ASSOCIATED PRESS