An Arizona man allegedly tied up his 14-year-old stepson and assaulted him after the boy ran away from home and returned.
Mto Assa, 37, has been charged with child abuse, aggravated assault, and unlawful imprisonment, Fox 10 reported.
Glendale police said that the boy’s mother reported him as a runaway on Tuesday.
The boy’s sister reportedly helped him escape, and he ran to a neighbor’s apartment.
“His hands and feet were still bound with ropes,” police said in a statement. “The victim disclosed that his stepfather tied his hands behind his back and bound his ankles, then connected the ropes together.”
The boy said that his stepfather attacked him, but his younger sister freed one of his feet, and he fled to the neighbor’s. The neighbor cut the ropes from the boy’s wrists while they awaiting police.
“His stepfather told him he would keep him tied up for the next year,” officials said.
The teen was examined by a forensic nurse, who said his injuries matched his story.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast:
[Featured image: Mto Assa/Glendale Police Department]