Police: Fla. woman escapes after being held captive for 6 days
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Authorities say a 25-year-old Florida woman was held captive and abused in a beachside apartment for days until she finally escaped and drove herself to a police station.
Police arrested 28-year-old Robert Pettis on Wednesday after they say he forced the woman to drive him to a liquor store. An arrest report says the woman sped away as fast as she could when Pettis got out of the car.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports the ordeal began Oct. 15 when Pettis punched her in the eye and she tried to call 911. Police say he then broke all the electronics in the home and during the next six days allegedly sexually assaulted and physically abused her. The attacks occurred with her 4-year-old son present in their Daytona Beach home.
The victims' relationship to the suspect, if any, is not clear.
Pettis faces multiple charges including sexual assault, false imprisonment and child abuse. It's unclear whether he's obtained a lawyer.