"Hide Me, Hide Me," Chained Boy Pleaded

Gym Manager Tells The Early Show Of Teen's Ordeal After Fleeing Home

(CBS/ AP)  The manager of a California gym recalled the searing image of a half-naked, visibly injured teen with a chain around his ankle seeking refuge after allegedly fleeing an abusive couple.

"Hide me, hide me," the 17-year-old told Chuck Ellis, who runs the In-Shape Sports Club in Tracy. Ellis told CBS' The Early Show the boy was filthy and looked as if he weighed less than 100 pounds.

He kept saying, "Please don't let them take me," Ellis said.

Ellis added that seeing the young man pick up the chain around his ankle left him speechless.

"It's an image that will live a long time with a lot of people," Ellis said.

Police arrested a Girl Scout leader and her husband on suspicion of abusing the boy.

Kelly Layne Lau, 30, and Michael Schumacher, 34, were taken into custody and booked on charges of torture, kidnapping and child abuse.

Also, police in Berkeley arrested a woman suspected of participating in the alleged abuse, Matt Robinson, a spokesman for the Tracy Police Department, told The Early Show on Wednesday.

Caren Ramirez, 43, who police say is possibly the boy's aunt, became the teen's guardian after child protective services took him from his abusive father three or four years ago, Robinson said.

After Ramirez, seen at left, was arrested for alleged abuse, the boy was placed in a foster home in Sacramento, which he fled in late 2007, police said.

His whereabouts were not known until around 4 p.m. Monday, when he entered the fitness center, Robinson said.

The boy came into the gym in Tracy wearing only boxer briefs and covered in what appeared to be soot, Ellis said. Tracy is about 70 miles south of Sacramento.

The boy said he had been held captive for nearly a year, said Ellis, adding that he looked as if he was only 10 to 12 years old.

Authorities said they believe the boy had been chained to a car seat but picked up a dropped key, unlocked himself and fled when the car stopped.

Investigators Tuesday were trying to figure out the connection between the couple and Ramirez, who authorities believe occasionally visited their home.

Meanwhile, Lau and Schumacher's four young children, two of whom were home when police arrived, have been taken into protective custody, authorities said.

The family's tidy two-story house was decked with two large Christmas wreaths on the front doors. No one answered Tuesday when a reporter knocked on the front door.

According to neighbors, the couple seemed to lead lives that revolved around their kids. On her MySpace Web page, Lau describes herself as a stay-at-home mom and says her husband worked as a contractor. She posted many photos of her family, friends and pets.

Lau started serving as a local Girl Scout leader sometime in September, after a background check turned up nothing to cause concern, said Pam Saltenberger, chief executive of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California.

Jennifer Foster, 33, said she and Lau became acquaintances through their children, who were neighborhood playmates. Foster said she first noticed an older boy with the family about a year ago.

"She told me that he was a nephew that was staying with them because he was having problems at home," Foster said. The boy was outside frequently, and his appearance never suggested anything unusual was happening behind closed doors, though the last time she saw him was May, she said.

Another neighbor said that more recently, the boy looked unwell.

"The last time I seen him, maybe two weeks ago, we were both taking our cans in from garbage days and he was really skinny and pale," Rachel Portillo said.

Robinson, the police spokesman, said the boy was confused when approached by detectives Monday, unsure where he had come from and how long he had been held. He was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition Tuesday afternoon.

"The victim says he was held against his will," Robinson said. "When you have a 17-year-old boy showing up with a bloody ankle from having a chain wrapped around it, it's one of those things for officers to put one and one together."

Police wouldn't release details about any conversations they've had with the boy or the couple since the arrests.

Lau and Schumacher were set to appear in court Thursday, according to online jail records. They were being held at San Joaquin County jail on bail of nearly $1.2 million each. Prosecutors did not know if the couple had hired attorneys.

[myopinion381]

This undated photo provided by the Tracy Police Department shows Caren Ramirez, believed to be the boy''s aunt.

Looks more like his uncle. Sure doesn''t look like a woman to me.

[nothappyatall]

The family''s tidy two-story house was decked with two large Christmas wreaths on the front doors."

Oh that figures, couple of CHRISTIANS, and the chained boy makes perfect sense- they were following the directives in their book of death to take SLAVES.

"No one answered Tuesday when a reporter knocked on the front door."

LOL they saw you coming thru the curtains, so of COURSE they didnt answer the knock, gee like what would they have to say to the media? "yeah we kept him chained"

[glidescube]

They should also investigate the foster home from where the kid ran from.

[slim1h2o]

Looks more like his uncle. Sure doesn''''t look like a woman to me.

Posted by MyOpinion381 at 08:40 AM : Dec 03, 2008

My thoughts exactly...

[erb0087]

"This undated photo provided by the Tracy Police Department shows Caren Ramirez, believed to be the boy"s aunt. Looks more like his uncle. Sure doesn''''t look like a woman to me."

Posted by MyOpinion381 at 08:40 AM : Dec 03, 2008
------------------------

She''s got a bigger Adam''s Apple than Ann Coulter.

[bearsfaninoh]

newster1,

Really!? Are you really just being silly or are you serious about associating a Christmas wreath with the couple being Christians?

[myopinion381]

If that is the kids aunt (or is it uncle), no wonder he ran. I sure wouldn''t want to claim him/her as a relative.

[craigh9]

Provide all involved with excellent lawyers and have them go through an entire fair trial process and have a jury of their peers decide if they are guilty or not. If not guilty set them free - if found guilty the bailiff should immediately draw his gun and shoot everyone one of these SOB''s directly in the head!

[jydavis1]

evangelicals ?

[saeljuis]

Christians? Who said anything about them being Christians? Do you know what a Christian is? Putting a wreath on your door does not make you a Christian. Talk about starting rumors!! Anyone can put a wreath on a door. It does not make you a Christian. Being a girl scout leader does not make you a Christian either. Do you blame Christians for everything wrong in this world? You push God out of everything and then wonder why he wasn''t there to help this poor child! Excuse me for saying this but, Duh! Real Christians are not bad people. People who spread HATE are bad people!

[concorde5]

The neighbor said the boy looked pale....hmmm. Interesting because the uncle/aunt looks black. I have never heard of a black child being described as pale. Very odd.

[myopinion381]

The neighbor said the boy looked pale....hmmm. Interesting because the uncle/aunt looks black. I have never heard of a black child being described as pale. Very odd. Posted by concorde5 at 09:55 AM

I was thinking about that too. Wonder if maybe one parent was white and other black (or milato).

[rf35]

Maybe he/she/it is an aunt through marriage, not blood.

[hidegirlgcks]

This is a sick world!! Why do these dumb a$$e$ do this sort of stuff? They should surely know that sooner or later, one way or the other, they will be caught and go to prison. Dumb a$$e$!!!!!!!!

[gala8]

Christians or not Christians they did something really bad and they should face the consequences

[choselife-2009]

To those who think ''pale'' refers to his skin pigment, guess again. In this case it refers to him looking frail, anemic.
And to ''saeljuis'': ditto to that!

[mmacomments]

HIDE HIDE HIDE

MMACOMMENTS(DOT)COM

[prometheus41]

The neighbor said the boy looked pale....hmmm. Interesting because the uncle/aunt looks black. I have never heard of a black child being described as pale. Very odd. Posted by concorde5 at 09:55 AM

I was thinking about that too. Wonder if maybe one parent was white and other black (or milato).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by MyOpinion381 at 09:59 AM : Dec 03, 2008

Unless you''re some kind of major racist or bigot, I have never heard anybody use the word "pale" to make reference to something possibly unusual or different about someone''s appearance for which you are familiar, that now made them look unwell. The word "pale" here is clearly in reference to the pallor of this person, most likely in the face, to indicate that he looked unwell. Not that, although he was unwell, he still had the same usual "pale" racial characteristics.

I really think the reason right-wing personalities (or personality disorders depending on the diagnosis) appear clue-less and dangerous, is that they process all information through a predilection filter that constantly reaffirms their idealogy, making them in reality incomprehensible and dangerous. But like a cancer left unchecked, totally in control -- the reason there cognitive dissonance continues to hum, is their constant self-affirmation in numbers -- like a cult or hivemind on steroids.

[concorde5]

In addition to being described as pale, the neighbor assumed the child was a relative of his captors, who are white. Very odd. I wonder if the child is white or very light skinned black person.

[myopinion381]

Unless you''''re some kind of major racist or bigot, I have never heard anybody use the word "pale" to make reference to something possibly unusual or different about someone''''s appearance for which you are familiar, that now made them look unwell. Posted by prometheus41 at 11:13 AM

You might want to read posts a little better. "I" never used the word "pale".

[wiccantexan]

newster1, I''m appalled at your implication that it''s due to being Christian that abuse was done to this boy. As a Wiccan woman, I have wreaths, etc on my house, so don''t assume. Also, most Christians are fine folks who are equally disgusted by what was done to this young man. No wonder there is still religious bias and violence in the world, with attitudes like yours.

[brynababy]

What ridiculous comments. The writer was not being anti-Christian. He was pointing out the hypocrisy of this couple who pretended to be good Christians with wreaths on their door, while behaving like un-Christian monsters. Get a life!!

[erasmus606]

''''Half-Naked Chain Boy''''...that name will stick with him the rest of his life!!!

Posted by DaVicar1 at 10:44 AM : Dec 03, 2008

Yes, that and ""Hide Me, Hide Me," Chained Boy Pleaded"

Why are the media so stupid?

[wiccanpth]

Hypocrisy is its own religion steeped in idiocy. I responded to a blog about this yesterday and was told by a kind "Christian" that my son''s autism is my punishment for choosing a non-Christian spiritual path. What true Christian would say that to anyone? What person, no matter what their religion, think it is okay to abuse any one?

[docpeter1953]

Hypocrisy is its own religion steeped in idiocy. I responded to a blog about this yesterday and was told by a kind "Christian" that my son''''s autism is my punishment for choosing a non-Christian spiritual path. What true Christian would say that to anyone?

Posted by wiccanpth at 12:52 PM : Dec 03, 2008
___________________

Was the responder lady-orgnans? If so, please don''t worry about her, she is a troll and has used many different names including gop_willwin, paidgopschill, gophockeymom, gop_4ever, and more. She is a troll.

[docpeter1953]

The neighbor said the boy looked pale....hmmm. Interesting because the uncle/aunt looks black. I have never heard of a black child being described as pale. Very odd. Posted by concorde5 at 09:55 AM

I was thinking about that too. Wonder if maybe one parent was white and other black (or milato).

Posted by MyOpinion381 at 09:59 AM : Dec 03, 2008
________________

What the he11 does it matter? If he is milato, black, brown, yellow, red he doesn''t deserve decent treatment? If he was whitey he wouldn''t have experienced this trauma? Sheesh!

[erasmus606]

What true Christian would say that to anyone?

Posted by wiccanpth at 12:52 PM : Dec 03, 2008

There are very few "TRUE" Christians.

[clovernyc]

In addition to being described as pale, the neighbor assumed the child was a relative of his captors, who are white. Very odd. I wonder if the child is white or very light skinned black person.

Posted by concorde5 at 11:30 AM : Dec 03, 2008
-------------------------------------------------
Typical racist mindset. Before you can feel sympathy for this unfortunate individual, you have to know whether he is black or white.

Interesting that the word ''animal'' is not being used to describe the two white people who tortured this child.

HYPOCRITES

[clovernyc]

Newster1,

Since when does a decorative holiday wreath on a house signify a specific religious belief?

Your ignorance is pitiful and laughable at once.

The two individuals who tortured that child are sick and they will be punished.

[zykracosmos]

Wow- Jerry Springer couldn''t choreograph something this strange.

[concorde5]

Typical racist mindset. Before you can feel sympathy for this unfortunate individual, you have to know whether he is black or white.

Interesting that the word ''''animal'''' is not being used to describe the two white people who tortured this child.

HYPOCRITES

Posted by CloverNYC at 01:30 PM : Dec 03, 2008
--------------------

I have a lot of sympathy for this young man regardless of color. Don''t read something into my post that was never there!

I just thought it was odd that the Aunt appears Black and the neighbors descriptions suggest that the child is white. It just seems odd to me.

That was the only point I was making!

[zykracosmos]

The neighbor said the boy looked pale....hmmm. Interesting because the uncle/aunt looks black. I have never heard of a black child being described as pale. Very odd. Posted by concorde5 at 09:55 AM

I was thinking about that too. Wonder if maybe one parent was white and other black (or milato).

Posted by MyOpinion381 at 09:59 AM : Dec 03, 2008
-----------------------

It is a curiousity. Think maybe the AP got out the wrong file photo? Obviously this guy isn''t anyone''s aunt.

[sasi1-2009]

How horrible. Why would anyone torture another human being? That is worse than any animal, and doesn''t speak well of our society today. I pray that God will be with this young man & help him get well and physically and mentally strong. Thank you, God, for giving him his freedom, and bless all those who have helped him.

[comeon11]

wiccanpth ...........................YOU''RE A ###### LIAR.

[slim1h2o]

If he was whitey he wouldn''''t have experienced this trauma? Sheesh!

Posted by docpeter1953 at 12:58 PM : Dec 03, 2008

A little racist yourself ain''t ya?

Or have you forgotten about that white boy in Idaho that was repeatedly raped in front of his younger sister, then hung, to slowly die, all the while his sister had look on.

At least this kid got away, and good for him for doing so.

Moron

[comeon11]

conservatives....................WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY CONSERVATIVE? WHY IS SOMEONE CONSERVATIVE FOR BELIEVING IN TORTURE (WHICH I THINK IS WRONG). THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY TRUE LIBERALS OR CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE NO ONE PERSON SHOULD LIVE THERE LIVES AND IDENTIFY WITH A POLITICAL IDEOLOGY. THATS ABSURD, AND SHEEP LIKE. YOU CAN ADHERE PRINCIPLES THAT ARE CONSIDERED LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE AT THE SAME TIME. MOST AMERICANS ARE SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE OR MODERATE- POLITICALLY THEY MAY BE LIBERAL DUE TO CLASS.

[dragonmouse-2009]

I''m a little put off by the photo too. But not by race but age. The article described him as looking "10 or 12 years" old (I know he is really 17). The picture looks to me the boy is a LOT older than that.

I wouldn''t be surprised if the "excuse" shows up with the same GARBAGE as the foster parents that caged their foster kids last year. "We were afraid he''d hurt himself or the other children"...Bull Hockey!

I understand that it can be hard taking care of the mentally handicapped but "torture" is unexcusable.

[comeon11]

pythoncharly- WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY CONSERVATIVE? WHY IS SOMEONE CONSERVATIVE FOR BELIEVING IN TORTURE (WHICH I THINK IS WRONG). THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY TRUE LIBERALS OR CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE NO ONE PERSON SHOULD LIVE THERE LIVES AND IDENTIFY WITH A POLITICAL IDEOLOGY. THATS ABSURD, AND SHEEP LIKE. YOU CAN ADHERE PRINCIPLES THAT ARE CONSIDERED LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE AT THE SAME TIME. MOST AMERICANS ARE SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE OR MODERATE- POLITICALLY THEY MAY BE LIBERAL DUE TO CLASS.

[rsmik]

''''''Half-Naked Chain Boy''''''''...that name will stick with him the rest of his life!!!

Posted by DaVicar1 at 10:44 AM : Dec 03, 2008

yeah, but it sure is catchy!

[slim1h2o]

Dragonmouse at 02:08 PM : Dec 03, 2008

There''s no picture of the boy attached to this article.
Not sure what YOU are looking at..

[ahhhthesouth]

I have a lot of sympathy for this young man regardless of color. Don''''t read something into my post that was never there!

I just thought it was odd that the Aunt appears Black and the neighbors descriptions suggest that the child is white. It just seems odd to me.

That was the only point I was making!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by concorde5 at 01:44 PM : Dec 03, 2008
_______________________________________________________________
Black people come in a wide variety of shades these days. Some are lighter in skin color than some caucasians. I am not light, but I have been discribed as pale before. I though it had to do with your face looking like all of the blood had left it.

[wiccantexan]

OK folks, religious history of the wreath aside (evergreens belong to varied Christian & non-Christian cultures), the bottom line is this: Someone brutalized this boy. We don''t know why, we don''t know if it has anything to do with religious beliefs.

[wiccantexan]

Next to the photo of that fugly aunt is the text, "After Ramirez, seen at left, was arrested for alleged abuse..." She may "looka like a man" (apologies to Ms Swan), but it seems that really is a woman.

[slim1h2o]

WiccanTexan at 02:18 PM : Dec 03, 2008

If that''s a woman, then YOU are starting to look real good to me from where I sit...

LOL But the again, I''m working on a beer buzz....

[concorde5]

No matter how unruly the child was, there was no excuse to chain him. That is child abuse. I don''t understand these people who think it is okay to torture and abuse a child. Did they think no one would ever find out?

We see these types coming out of the woodwork daily now. Seems like everyday I hear about someone who has kidnapped a child or abused a child or killed a child.

The sad thing now is that four little children don''t have parents now because they will spend some serious time behind bars.

[concorde5]

Posted by anarchyfan at 03:05 PM : Dec 03, 2008


Excellent post! I agree. If this child is covered in soot and his ankle is bleeding from the chains that kept him shackled to his room, that is child abuse. It is obvious that this couple was not taking proper care of the child.

Another thing, How did the boy end up with this couple anyway? Something is very odd about the whole thing.

[yoopermom]

Just one more example of how messed up our foster care system is. They took him from a bad situation only to place him in another bad situation.

[loves8childr]

My wondering thoughts are about the small malnourished size of the boy. I would assume that he probably was malnourished prior to his time in the group home. I have never been in a group home, but my sister was, and she didn''t like it too much. This boy is 17, but he may have never gotten the chance to mature, obviously physically, but also mentally. Teenagers that haven''t come from rough homes have a hard time making good decisions.

[loves8childr]

yoopermom,
Are you referencing the Aunt? I would have to agree with you there.

[loves8childr]

Concorde5,
I''m not sure how healthy those parents are, and how much good they were doing for their 4 children, if the children watched them abuse this other kid.