Authorities in North Dakota have apprehended two individuals following the chilling discovery of a woman allegedly held captive in an apartment in Fargo. Arturo Calzada-Becerril, aged 40, and Erendira Amoles, 41, have been charged after a maintenance worker responded to cries for help and entered the premises on Tuesday, 3 November 2023.
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According to the Fargo Police Department, the investigation began when the maintenance worker heard the woman’s distress calls and found her chained to a bed, with her surroundings showing signs of her prolonged captivity. Court documents revealed that the windows of the apartment were obscured with tin foil and a camera was positioned to monitor her movements.
An officer’s report detailed that the woman was secured with a padlock around her right ankle, which was tethered to the bed. She claimed that Calzada-Becerril, who is her ex-husband, had brought her to the United States from Mexico and had kept her locked away for approximately two years. Initially, she was allowed limited access outside the bedroom, but this changed over time, leading to her being confined most of the day.
During her captivity, the woman alleged that Calzada-Becerril provided her with food twice daily, but forced her to use a bucket as a toilet within the confines of the bedroom. Furthermore, she reported that both Calzada-Becerril and Amoles physically assaulted and sexually abused her during this period. Police observed multiple bruises on the woman’s body, which corroborated her claims of violence.
After the woman was rescued and taken to hospital for treatment, Amoles reportedly returned to the apartment with her eight-year-old child. She told authorities that she had locked the woman up prior to picking up her child, aiming to prevent her from escaping. Both suspects have countered the allegations, claiming that the woman had previously assaulted them and had threatened them with a knife on occasion.
Calzada-Becerril has been charged with domestic violence resulting in bodily injury, while Amoles faces a charge of simple assault. Both accused have entered not guilty pleas in relation to their charges. Furthermore, both individuals are also facing kidnapping charges involving terrorism against an adult victim, although details surrounding this charge remain somewhat unclear as the prosecutor’s office has yet to provide clarifications.
The kidnapping-related charges are noted to be categorized under a different statute from their felonious restraint charges. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, a discrepancy concerning the date of the kidnapping charges—recorded as 3 November 2024—has raised questions among onlookers.
The police investigation is ongoing, as authorities seek further evidence and information surrounding the case. Meanwhile, the public is encouraged to reach out for support if they are experiencing domestic violence or have been victims of sexual assault. Resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Sexual Assault Hotline are available, offering confidential assistance and guidance to those in need.
The shocking details of this case spotlight ongoing issues related to domestic abuse and the importance of vigilance in recognising signs of distress within communities. As the justice process unfolds, the implications of this harrowing incident continue to resonate, underscoring the critical need for awareness and proactive measures against domestic violence.
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