(Image source from: Three abused Tucson teens rescued)

In a shocking case of cruelty and alleged child abuse reported in Tucson, parents of three daughters, who have been living as captives in their own home for over two and half years now, were detained by the local police after two of the girls managed to flee and report the case to the Tucson police.

The siblings aged 12,13, and 17 have been rescued by the authorities while their mother and stepfather have been put in jail. All the girls were found to be undernourished and living in filthy conditions.

The case came into light early yesterday after two of the girls managed to escape to a neighbor's home and called up 911. When the Tucson police arrived at the home in North Estrella Avenue, their stepfather Fernando Richter, 34, and mother, Sophia Richter, 32, tried to obstruct their investigation. On search, the police rescued their eldest sibling who kept captive in a different room.

All the three girls were only given food once a day and hadn't taken a bath for six months then. The two younger sister also revealed that they had not seen their 17-year-old sibling since the time they were locked up in the rooms.

The couple have been indicted on accounts of kidnapping, child abuse/emotional abuse, and child abuse/physical abuse. Fernando Richter has been charged with one count of sexual abuse too.

AW: Suchorita Dutta Choudhury