Aunt Arrested in Case of Shackled Teen

Dec. 2, 2008 — -- California police have arrested a third suspect in the case of the 17-year-old boy who fled from a couple's home Monday, bloodied with bruises, clad only in boxer shorts and shackled at the ankle.

"Last night Caren Ramirez was arrested in Berkeley, Calif., after Tracy police received a tip she may be at an acquaintance's residence. Police were able to contact Caren Ramirez and put her in custody," Tracy police spokesman Matt Robinson said on "Good Morning America" today.

Robinson said 43-year-old Ramirez, who is the boy's aunt and has a felony record, had been on the lam since being charged with abusing the same teen in an unrelated incident.

"At one point [Ramirez] was his guardian after the juvenile was taken away from his parents," Robinson said. "She eventually was arrested for assaulting the juvenile herself. She had an outstanding warrant because of that arrest and so for the past year and a half she has essentially been on the run trying to flee that arrest warrant."

"She will eventually be brought back to Tracy for questioning and eventually arraignment," Robinson said.

Ramirez's arrest follows the apprehension of 30-year-old Kelly Lau Schumacher and her 34-year-old husband, Michael Schumacher, who were arrested and charged with suspicion of torture, kidnapping and child abuse.

The Schumachers, who lived only blocks from the fitness center where the boy was found, each have their bail set at nearly $1.2 million.

Robinson said police are still trying to determine the connection between the Schumachers and Ramirez.

The Back Story

The peculiar tale began unfolding Monday when a teenage boy arrived at the In-Shape City Sports Club around 4 p.m. begging an employee to hide him, according to Robinson.

"The staff noticed blood and bruising on his body, and he looked emaciated and had a chain locked to his ankle," Robinson said. "The boy was confused and didn't know where he was or how long he had been held against his will."