Saginaw City Police in Michigan announced that Tasha Beamon, 48, faces charges of abusing a vulnerable adult and unlawful imprisonment. The charges stem from the victim's escape on 15/3, when she broke a neighbor's window in a desperate bid for freedom.
Following a 911 call from the neighbor, the 58-year-old victim recounted to police how Tasha, her deceased brother-in-law's wife, had held her captive in the basement of a nearby home for two years. Police explained the escape, stating the victim believed no one was home at the time. She reportedly broke down a door to flee, then smashed a window to alert someone for help.
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Tasha Beamon and the house where her sister-in-law was held captive. *Photo: Saginaw County Jail/Law&crime* |
The neighbor expressed astonishment upon seeing the victim outside their home, holding a large metal pipe. "I don't even know where she got the strength to break the window", the neighbor remarked, describing the victim as emaciated and appearing to be in her 70s. Medical personnel at the local hospital assessed the victim, concluding she was at risk of death from severe malnutrition.
The victim stated she received only minimal food and water during her confinement. Her living conditions included an old mattress and a radio constantly blaring music at maximum volume. Police later visited Tasha's home, acquired months after her husband's death in 1/2021. Officers found the front door ajar and an external padlock on the basement door. Inside the basement, they observed a mattress on the floor, a radio blaring loudly, and a bucket of urine, confirming the absence of a toilet.
In the days following the escape, Tasha made over 40 calls to the hospital, inquiring about the victim. She later admitted to police that she had confined the victim, preventing her from leaving the house. Investigators suspect Tasha imprisoned her sister-in-law, acting as her caregiver, to illicitly obtain the victim's disability benefits.
Tasha was arrested on 2/4 and is currently held on a 100,000 USD bond. Her court appearance is scheduled for 20/4.
