A Florida man, who called police because he had a medical emergency while allegedly having kidnapped and assaulted a woman for days, is behind bars after his victim mouthed a silent plea for help.
Jordan Garrett, 30, called for emergency aid on Nov. 18, according to a statement from the Cape Coral Police Department.
When officers arrived, they found that the caller may not have been the only one needing help.
“Officers discovered two individuals, one identified as [Garrett], experiencing a medical emergency,” the statement said. “The other party, a female victim, was found in distress and exhibited clear signs of physical abuse.”
Jordan Garrett (via Lee County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office).
The woman, who was not identified in the statement, took steps to save herself.
“The victim, in a dire plea for help, silently mouthed ‘save me’ to an officer,” police said. “Further investigation revealed she had sustained multiple bruises and injuries, reportedly inflicted by Garrett. Both parties were transported to a local hospital for medical attention.”
The woman was revealed to have “extensive bruising” on her body, and gave police a “harrowing account of being held captive in her residence by Garrett, enduring repeated physical assaults and sexual abuse,” the statement said.
The woman had tried to call for help earlier in the week, but Garrett allegedly confiscated her phone and threatened her further.
“The Cape Coral Police Department’s investigation uncovered that Garrett forcibly detained the victim, subjecting her to continuous abuse, and prevented her from seeking medical care or contacting law enforcement,” the police statement said. “His actions culminated in a situation where the victim’s life was in peril, and she was denied any means to escape or seek help.”
Garrett is charged with kidnapping, sexual battery, and obstructing justice, as well as depriving a crime victim of medical care.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Garrett remains in custody.
It was not immediately clear why Garrett allegedly targeted the woman for kidnapping and abuse. Court officials and police did not immediately respond to Law&Crime’s request for additional information.
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