Family of Facebook Live Alleged Torture Victim Speaks Out: 'This Should Never Happen'
He's doing "as well as he could be at this time," said a relative of the victim.
— -- The family of an 18-year old Chicago-area man who was bound and allegedly tortured Tuesday in a Facebook Live video spoke out for the first time Thursday.
"He's doing well — as well as he could be at this time," the victim's brother-in-law, David Boyd, told reporters at a press conference at a Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
"We’re so grateful for all the prayers and efforts that led to the safe return of our brother," Boyd said.
A police official said the victim has "mental health challenges."
"This should never happen," Boyd said of his brother-in-law's being tormented for nearly six hours by his captors at an apartment on Chicago's West Side.
Boyd said the family is "trying to stick together" and has been "overwhelmed and surprised" by the outpouring of support from the public.
"We're happy everyone is concerned," he said. "We appreciate all the support from everyone ... We haven't spoken to anyone but each other, but we have read what's out there, and we really appreciate it."
He added, "At this time, we ask for continued prayers for all those involved and for our family's privacy as we cope and heal. We would also like to thank the Streamwood and Chicago police departments for their help."
Boyd confirmed that the family is "fully aware of the charges being brought against the offenders."
Jordan Hill, 18; Tesfaye Cooper, 18; and sisters Brittany Covington, 18, and Tanishia Covington, 24, were charged with aggravated kidnapping, hate crime, aggravated unlawful restraint and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Hill, Cooper and Brittany Covington were also charged with residential burglary. Hill was additionally charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, according to the prosecutor's office.
