Three Imprisoned Arizona Girls Freed, Captives Arrested

Tucson, Arizona – three sisters aged 12, 13, and 17 are now in the custody of child protective services following their release from a captivity of two years by their mother and step-father. The girls obtained their freedom when the two younger ones, who shared a bedroom together, managed to escape in the early morning hours this past Tuesday. At 4:00AM, they reached a neighbor’s house where they made the 911 distress call.

Investigating officers arrived at the home of 34-year-old Fernando Richter and 32-year-old Sophia Richter, his wife, and found the 17-year-old daughter in imprisoned in a separate bedroom. The girls claim they were fed only once a day and hadn’t been allowed to wash themselves in months. Their allegations were bolstered by the fact that they were absolutely filthy and malnourished. Their bedrooms were kept in equal squalor.

“They were kept in filthy living conditions, separately and told patrol officers that they had not seen each other in almost two years,” said Capt. Michael Gillooly said at a news conference.

Both parents have been charged with kidnapping and child abuse, but Fernando Richter has also been charged with child sexual abuse. The news comes almost seven months after the Ariel Castro kidnappings when authorities were able to secure the rescue of three female captives in Ohio following the escape by one of them who was able to phone police for help.

“I can assure you we’re doing everything we can to make sure these kids are kept safe,” said Capt. Gillooly.

A judge set bail of $100,000 for the stepfather, Fernando Richter, and $75,000 for the mother, Sophia Richter, at their initial court appearances Wednesday.

On the Web:
Girls were imprisoned in bedrooms for two years: Arizona police
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/26/21633155-girls-were-imprisoned-in-bedrooms-for-two-years-arizona-police?lite